'He is greatly interested in her.'

'He finds her such an attractive girl?'

'Catherine has a lovely nature, Austin,' said Mrs Penniman, 'and Mr Townsend has had the intelligence to discover that.'

'With a little help from you, I suppose. My dear Lavinia,' cried the Doctor, 'you are an admirable aunt!'

'So Mr Townsend says,' observed Lavinia, smiling. 'Do you think he is sincere?' asked her brother . 'In saying that?'

'No; that's of course. But in his admiration for Catherine?' 'Deeply sincere. He has said to me the most appreciative, the most charming things about her. He would say them to you, if he were sure you would listen to him - gently.'

'I doubt whether I can undertake it. He appears to require a great deal of gentleness.'

'He is a sympathetic, sensitive nature,' said Mrs Penniman.

Her brother puffed his cigar again in silence. 'These delicate qualities have survived his vicissitudes, eh? All this while you haven't told me about his misfortunes.'

'It is a long story,' said Mrs Penniman, 'and I regard it as a sacred trust. But I suppose there is no objection to my saying that he has been wild - he frankly confesses that. But he has paid for it.'

'That's what has impoverished him, eh?'

'I don't mean simply in money. He is very much alone in the world.'

'Do you mean that he has behaved so badly that his friends have given him up?' 'He has had false friends, who have deceived and betrayed him.' 'He seems to have some good ones too. He has a devoted sister, and half a dozen nephews and nieces.'

Mrs Penniman was silent a minute. 'The nephews and nieces are children, and the sister is not a very attractive person.'

'I hope he doesn't abuse her to you,' said the Doctor; 'for I am told he lives upon her.'

'Lives upon her?'

'Lives with her, and does nothing for himself; it is about the same thing.'

'He is looking for a position most earnestly,' said Mrs Penniman. 'He hopes every day to find one.'

'Precisely. He is looking for it here - over there in the front parlor. The position of husband of a weak- minded woman with a large fortune would suit him to perfection!'

Mrs Penniman was truly amiable, but she now gave signs of temper. She rose with much animation, and stood for a moment looking at her brother. 'My dear Austin,' she remarked, 'if you I regard Catherine as a weak-minded woman you are particularly: mistaken!' And with this she moved majestically away.


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