"It has been a regular
plan, then. He has broken it off deliberately; he has given me up."
"For the present, dear Catherine. He has put it off only."
"He has left me alone," Catherine went on.
"Haven't you ME?" asked Mrs. Penniman, with much expression.
Catherine shook her head slowly. "I don't believe it!" and she left
the room.
CHAPTER XXXI
Though she had forced herself to be calm, she preferred practising
this virtue in private, and she forbore to show herself at tea--a
repast which, on Sundays, at six o'clock, took the place of dinner.
Dr. Sloper and his sister sat face to face, but Mrs. Penniman never
met her brother's eye. Late in the evening she went with him, but
without Catherine, to their sister Almond's, where, between the two
ladies, Catherine's unhappy situation was discussed with a frankness
that was conditioned by a good deal of mysterious reticence on Mrs.
Penniman's part.
"I am delighted he is not to marry her," said Mrs. Almond, "but he
ought to be horsewhipped all the same."
Mrs. Penniman, who was shocked at her sister's coarseness, replied
that he had been actuated by the noblest of motives--the desire not
to impoverish Catherine.
"I am very happy that Catherine is not to be impoverished--but I hope
he may never have a penny too much! And what does the poor girl say
to YOU?" Mrs. Almond asked.
"She says I have a genius for consolation," said Mrs.
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