And we have been
so much obliged to you for--for the liberty."
The Doctor gave a short laugh. "You might have made a better use of
it, Catherine."
"Please don't say that, father," the girl urged softly, fixing her
dull and gentle eyes upon him.
He puffed his cigar awhile, meditatively. "You have gone very fast,"
he said at last.
"Yes," Catherine answered simply; "I think we have."
Her father glanced at her an instant, removing his eyes from the
fire. "I don't wonder Mr. Townsend likes you. You are so simple and
so good."
"I don't know why it is--but he DOES like me. I am sure of that."
"And are you very fond of Mr. Townsend?"
"I like him very much, of course--or I shouldn't consent to marry
him."
"But you have known him a very short time, my dear."
"Oh," said Catherine, with some eagerness, "it doesn't take long to
like a person--when once you begin."
"You must have begun very quickly. Was it the first time you saw
him--that night at your aunt's party?"
"I don't know, father," the girl answered. "I can't tell you about
that."
"Of course; that's your own affair. You will have observed that I
have acted on that principle. I have not interfered, I have left you
your liberty, I have remembered that you are no longer a little girl-
-that you have arrived at years of discretion."
"I feel very old--and very wise," said Catherine, smiling faintly.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94