As
for Catherine's giving you up--no, I am not sure of it. But as I
shall strongly recommend it, as I have a great fund of respect and
affection in my daughter's mind to draw upon, and as she has the
sentiment of duty developed in a very high degree, I think it
extremely possible."
Morris Townsend began to smooth his hat again. "I too have a fund of
affection to draw upon!" he observed at last.
The Doctor at this point showed his own first symptoms of irritation.
"Do you mean to defy me?"
"Call it what you please, sir! I mean not to give your daughter up."
The Doctor shook his head. "I haven't the least fear of your pining
away your life. You are made to enjoy it."
Morris gave a laugh. "Your opposition to my marriage is all the more
cruel, then! Do you intend to forbid your daughter to see me again?"
"She is past the age at which people are forbidden, and I am not a
father in an old-fashioned novel. But I shall strongly urge her to
break with you."
"I don't think she will," said Morris Townsend.
"Perhaps not. But I shall have done what I could."
"She has gone too far," Morris went on.
"To retreat? Then let her stop where she is."
"Too far to stop, I mean."
The Doctor looked at him a moment; Morris had his hand on the door.
"There is a great deal of impertinence in your saying it."
"I will say no more, sir!" Morris answered; and, making his bow, he
left the room.
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