"Marry Catherine first and meet him
afterwards!" she exclaimed.
"Do you recommend that?" asked the young man, frowning heavily.
She was a little frightened, but she went on with considerable
boldness. "That is the way I see it: a private marriage--a private
marriage." She repeated the phrase because she liked it.
"Do you mean that I should carry Catherine off? What do they call
it--elope with her?"
"It is not a crime when you are driven to it," said Mrs. Penniman.
"My husband, as I have told you, was a distinguished clergyman; one
of the most eloquent men of his day. He once married a young couple
that had fled from the house of the young lady's father. He was so
interested in their story. He had no hesitation, and everything came
out beautifully. The father was afterwards reconciled, and thought
everything of the young man. Mr. Penniman married them in the
evening, about seven o'clock. The church was so dark, you could
scarcely see; and Mr. Penniman was intensely agitated; he was so
sympathetic. I don't believe he could have done it again."
"Unfortunately Catherine and I have not Mr. Penniman to marry us,"
said Morris.
"No, but you have me!" rejoined Mrs. Penniman expressively. "I can't
perform the ceremony, but I can help you. I can watch."
"The woman's an idiot," thought Morris; but he was obliged to say
something different. It was not, however, materially more civil.
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