Her name is Mrs. Montgomery; she is a
widow, with a little property and five children. She lives in the
Second Avenue."
"What does Mrs. Montgomery say about him?"
"That he has talents by which he might distinguish himself."
"Only he is lazy, eh?"
"She doesn't say so."
"That's family pride," said the Doctor. "What is his profession?"
"He hasn't got any; he is looking for something. I believe he was
once in the Navy."
"Once? What is his age?"
"I suppose he is upwards of thirty. He must have gone into the Navy
very young. I think Arthur told me that he inherited a small
property--which was perhaps the cause of his leaving the Navy--and
that he spent it all in a few years. He travelled all over the
world, lived abroad, amused himself. I believe it was a kind of
system, a theory he had. He has lately come back to America, with
the intention, as he tells Arthur, of beginning life in earnest."
"Is he in earnest about Catherine, then?"
"I don't see why you should be incredulous," said Mrs. Almond. "It
seems to me that you have never done Catherine justice. You must
remember that she has the prospect of thirty thousand a year."
The Doctor looked at his sister a moment, and then, with the
slightest touch of bitterness: "You at least appreciate her," he
said.
Mrs. Almond blushed.
"I don't mean that is her only merit; I simply mean that it is a
great one.
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