My dear Lavinia," cried the
Doctor, "you are an admirable aunt!"
"So Mr. Townsend says," observed Lavinia, smiling.
"Do you think he is sincere?" asked her brother.
"In saying that?"
"No; that's of course. But in his admiration for Catherine?"
"Deeply sincere. He has said to me the most appreciative, the most
charming things about her. He would say them to you, if he were sure
you would listen to him--gently."
"I doubt whether I can undertake it. He appears to require a great
deal of gentleness."
"He is a sympathetic, sensitive nature," said Mrs. Penniman.
Her brother puffed his cigar again in silence. "These delicate
qualities have survived his vicissitudes, eh? All this while you
haven't told me about his misfortunes."
"It is a long story," said Mrs. Penniman, "and I regard it as a
sacred trust. But I suppose there is no objection to my saying that
he has been wild--he frankly confesses that. But he has paid for
it."
"That's what has impoverished him, eh?"
"I don't mean simply in money. He is very much alone in the world."
"Do you mean that he has behaved so badly that his friends have given
him up?"
"He has had false friends, who have deceived and betrayed him."
"He seems to have some good ones too. He has a devoted sister, and
half-a-dozen nephews and nieces."
Mrs. Penniman was silent a minute. "The nephews and nieces are
children, and the sister is not a very attractive person.
Pages:
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78