'I certainly have not deceived you!'

'Yes; but I promised my father -'

'I have no doubt you promised your father. But I have promised him nothing.'

Catherine had to admit this, and she did so in silence. 'I don't believe Mr Townsend himself likes it,' she said, at last.

'Doesn't like meeting me?'

'Not in secret.'

'It was not in secret; the place was full of people.'

'But it was a secret place - away off in the Bowery.'

Mrs Penniman flinched a little. 'Gentlemen enjoy such things,' she remarked, presently. 'I know what gentlemen like.'

'My father wouldn't like it, if he knew.'

'Pray, do you propose to inform him?' Mrs Penniman inquired. 'No, Aunt Lavinia. But please don't do it again.'

'If I do it again you will inform him - is that what you mean? I do not share your dread of my brother; I have always known how to defend my own position. But I shall certainly never again take any step on your behalf; you are much too thankless. I knew you were not a spontaneous nature, but I believed you were firm, and I told your father that he would find you so. I am disappointed, but your father will not be.' And with this Mrs Penniman offered her niece a brief good-night, and withdrew to her own apartment.