Penniman, with some
sternness. "That you should take counsel of worldly prudence, and
submit to practical considerations. That you should agree to--a--
separate."
Catherine had been ice up to this moment, but at this word she flamed
up. "Separate? What do you know about our separating?"
Mrs. Penniman shook her head with a sadness in which there was almost
a sense of injury. "Your pride is my pride, and your
susceptibilities are mine. I see your side perfectly, but I also"--
and she smiled with melancholy suggestiveness--"I also see the
situation as a whole!"
This suggestiveness was lost upon Catherine, who repeated her violent
inquiry. "Why do you talk about separation; what do you know about
it?"
"We must study resignation," said Mrs. Penniman, hesitating, but
sententious at a venture.
"Resignation to what?"
"To a change of--of our plans."
"My plans have not changed!" said Catherine, with a little laugh.
"Ah, but Mr. Townsend's have," her aunt answered very gently.
"What do you mean?"
There was an imperious brevity in the tone of this inquiry, against
which Mrs. Penniman felt bound to protest; the information with which
she had undertaken to supply her niece was, after all, a favour. She
had tried sharpness, and she had tried sternness: but neither would
do; she was shocked at the girl's obstinacy. "Ah, well," she said,
"if he hasn't told you! .
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