登陆注册
5150000000026

第26章

ON THE MORROW, in the afternoon, he stayed at home, awaiting Mr.

Townsend's call- a proceeding by which it appeared to him (justly perhaps, for he was a very busy man) that he paid Catherine's suitor great honor, and gave both these young people so much the less to complain of.Morris presented himself with a countenance sufficiently serene- he appeared to have forgotten the "insult" for which he had solicited Catherine's sympathy two evenings before- and Doctor Sloper lost no time in letting him know that he had been prepared for his visit.

"Catherine told me yesterday what has been going on between you," he said."You must allow me to say that it would have been becoming of you to give me notice of your intentions before they had gone so far.""I should have done so," Morris answered, "if you had not had so much the appearance of leaving your daughter at liberty.She seems to me quite her own mistress.""Literally, she is.But she has not emancipated herself morally quite so far, I trust, as to choose a husband without consulting me.Ihave left her at liberty, but I have not been in the least indifferent.The truth is, that your little affair has come to a head with a rapidity that surprises me.It was only the other day that Catherine made your acquaintance.""It was not long ago, certainly," said Morris, with great gravity.

"I admit that we have not been slow to- to arrive at an understanding.

But that was very natural, from the moment we were sure of ourselves- and of each other.My interest in Miss Sloper began the first time I saw her.""Did it not by chance precede your first meeting?" the doctor asked.

Morris looked at him an instant."I certainly had already heard that she was a charming girl.""A charming girl- that's what you think her?""Assuredly.Otherwise I should not be sitting here."The doctor meditated a moment."My dear young man," he said at last, "you must be very susceptible.As Catherine's father I have, Itrust, a just and tender appreciation of her many good qualities;but I don't mind telling you that I have never thought of her as a charming girl, and never expected anyone else to do so."Morris Townsend received this statement with a smile that was not wholly devoid of deference."I don't know what I might think of her if I were her father.I can't put myself in that place.I speak from my own point of view.""You speak very well," said the doctor, "but that is not all that is necessary.I told Catherine yesterday that I disapproved of her engagement.""She let me know as much, and I was very sorry to hear it.I am greatly disappointed." And Morris sat in silence awhile, looking at the floor.

"Did you really expect I would say I was delighted, and throw my daughter into your arms?""Oh no; I had an idea you didn't like me.""What gave you the idea?"

"The fact that I am poor."

"That has a harsh sound," said the doctor, "but it is about the truth- speaking of you strictly as a son-in-law.Your absence of means, of a profession, of visible resources or prospects, places you in a category from which it would be imprudent for me to select a husband for my daughter, who is a weak young woman with a large fortune.In any other capacity I am perfectly prepared to like you.As a son-in-law, I abominate you."Morris Townsend listened respectfully."I don't think Miss Sloper is a weak woman," he presently said.

"Of course you must defend her- it's the least you can do.But Ihave known my child twenty years, and you have known her six weeks.

Even if she were not weak, however, you would still be a penniless man.""Ah, yes; that is my weakness! And therefore, you mean, I am mercenary- I only want your daughter's money.""I don't say that.I am not obliged to say it; and to say it, save under stress of compulsion, would be very bad taste.I say simply that you belong to the wrong category.""But your daughter doesn't marry a category," Townsend urged, with his handsome smile."She marries an individual- an individual whom she is so good as to say she loves.""An individual who offers so little in return.""Is it possible to offer more than the most tender affection and a lifelong devotion?" the young man demanded.

同类推荐
  • Sintram and His Companions

    Sintram and His Companions

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 正体类要

    正体类要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 宝庆会稽续志

    宝庆会稽续志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Captain Blood

    Captain Blood

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 归有园麈谈

    归有园麈谈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 遥远的温泉

    遥远的温泉

    《阿来最新中篇小说系列:遥远的温泉》收录了《遥远的温泉》和《已经消失的森林》两部中篇小说。
  • 曲海总目提要

    曲海总目提要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 四海鲸骑(第二部)

    四海鲸骑(第二部)

    故事以大明落难太子建文为主角,讲述了建文在鲸骑商团老板铜雀的资助下、与少女忍者百地七里、蒙古蛮子腾格斯、西洋学者哈罗德一起寻找佛岛的海上冒险故事。
  • 九连山庄

    九连山庄

    北辰十二年,登基十二年的北峰大帝刚刚平息国内的诸侯混战,正在修养生息,一番血腥之后的江湖刚刚恢复平静,来自北元草原的骑兵扣响了边关的烽火,虽然战火还在边关小打小闹的燃烧,但江湖已经被来自北元的武人搅起了新的腥风血雨,来自异界的主角手持武门道书行走在风雨之中,建立一个传奇的山庄。
  • 奇术傲天

    奇术傲天

    痛失爹娘的凌风偶得奇术论和魔镜珠,他发誓要修炼成能将死人重生的回魂术。回魂术分为炼丹术,练气术,归元术。在修炼炼丹术中,凌风穿越到古月王国,通过修炼奇术论中的武功绝学,打败无数高手,已经修炼武尊段的斗武尊阶段,并且成功夺取了蓝灵石、红灵石和黄灵石。本以为可以直接穿越到虚灵王国,进一步修炼练气术,不料还需一颗圣灵珠,汲取其中灵气才算大功告成。为了寻找圣灵珠,凌风来到天竺王国,就在有圣灵珠有消息之时,不幸的是被水蟒给咬死,所有心血化为乌有。
  • 舌尖上的安全:食品安全购买攻略

    舌尖上的安全:食品安全购买攻略

    《舌尖上的安全:食品安全购买攻略》介绍的食品安全购买方法是指通过用眼睛看、鼻子嗅、耳朵听、嘴巴尝和用手触摸等方式,对食品的色、香、味和外观形态进行综合性的鉴别和评价的方法,其基本方法有:视觉鉴别法嗅觉鉴别法味觉鉴别法触觉鉴别法巧妙而综合地运用以上四种方法,能直观地购买到安全食品。.
  • 相公有点坏

    相公有点坏

    她代姐而嫁,未曾洞房即被下堂。隔天,全府上下传言她婚前失贞,她无力辩驳。嘲笑谩骂冷眼喷涌而来,她泰然处之,自认清者自清。他对她恨之入骨,她却爱他无怨无悔。当刻骨恨意碰撞绵绵情意,她用满腔温柔来软化他铁石心肠,却被他伤的伤痕累累,心碎成殇。当她小产,那触目惊心的鲜血将他的理智摧毁,也让他对她的感觉发生了变化。可是,她已经心死。
  • 你陪我一阵子,我念你一辈子
  • 泉州府志选录

    泉州府志选录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 剑道仙缘录

    剑道仙缘录

    大道至简,以力证之。莫青衫一本变异的小说在魔法斗气的世界叱咤风云……