She had felt his contempt; it had scorched her; that speech about her
bad taste made her ears burn for three days. During this period she
was less considerate; she had an idea--a rather vague one, but it was
agreeable to her sense of injury--that now she was absolved from
penance, and might do what she chose. She chose to write to Morris
Townsend to meet her in the Square and take her to walk about the
town. If she were going to Europe out of respect to her father, she
might at least give herself this satisfaction. She felt in every way
at present more free and more resolute; there was a force that urged
her. Now at last, completely and unreservedly, her passion possessed
her.
Morris met her at last, and they took a long walk. She told him
immediately what had happened--that her father wished to take her
away. It would be for six months, to Europe; she would do absolutely
what Morris should think best. She hoped inexpressibly that he would
think it best she should stay at home. It was some time before he
said what he thought: he asked, as they walked along, a great many
questions. There was one that especially struck her; it seemed so
incongruous.
"Should you like to see all those celebrated things over there?"
"Oh no, Morris!" said Catherine, quite deprecatingly.
"Gracious Heaven, what a dull woman!" Morris exclaimed to himself.
"He thinks I will forget you," said Catherine: "that all these
things will drive you out of my mind.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173