Townsend's?"
"I don't know that he would like it," said Mrs. Penniman. "He has
told me a great deal about himself--he has told me, in fact, his
whole history. But I don't think I ought to repeat those things. He
would tell them to you, I am sure, if he thought you would listen to
him kindly. With kindness you may do anything with him."
The Doctor gave a laugh. "I shall request him very kindly, then, to
leave Catherine alone."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Penniman, shaking her forefinger at her brother, with
her little finger turned out, "Catherine had probably said something
to him kinder than that."
"Said that she loved him? Do you mean that?"
Mrs. Penniman fixed her eyes on the floor. "As I tell you, Austin,
she doesn't confide in me."
"You have an opinion, I suppose, all the same. It is that I ask you
for; though I don't conceal from you that I shall not regard it as
conclusive."
Mrs. Penniman's gaze continued to rest on the carpet; but at last she
lifted it, and then her brother thought it very expressive. "I think
Catherine is very happy; that is all I can say."
"Townsend is trying to marry her--is that what you mean?"
"He is greatly interested in her."
"He finds her such an attractive girl?"
"Catherine has a lovely nature, Austin," said Mrs. Penniman, "and Mr.
Townsend has had the intelligence to discover that."
"With a little help from you, I suppose.
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