He let her alone for six months more - six months during which she accommodated herself without a protest to the extension of their tour. But he spoke again at the end of this time: it was at the very last, the night before they embarked for New York, in the hotel at Liverpool. They had been dining together in a great, dim, musty sitting-room; and then the cloth had been removed, and the Doctor walked slowly up and down. Catherine at last took her candle to go to bed, but her father motioned her to stay.

'What do you mean to do when you get home?' he asked, while she stood there with her candle in her hand.

'Do you mean about Mr Townsend?' , About Mr Townsend.'

'We shall probably marry.'

The Doctor took several turns again while she waited.' Do you hear from him as much as ever?'

'Yes, twice a month,' said Catherine, promptly.' And does he always talk about marriage?'

'Oh yes; that is, he talks about other things too, but he always says something about that.'

'I am glad to hear he varies his subjects; his letters might other - wise be monotonous.'

'He writes beautifully,' said Catherine, who was very glad of a chance to say it.

'They always write beautifully. However, in a given case that doesn't diminish the merit. So, as soon as you arrive, you are going off with him?'

This seemed a rather gross way of putting it, and something that there was of dignity in Catherine resented it.' I cannot tell you till we arrive,' she said.

'That's reasonable enough,' her father answered.' That's all I ask of you - that you do tell me, that you give me definite notice. When a poor man is to lose his only child, he likes to have an' inkling of it beforehand.'

'Oh, father! you will not lose me,' Catherine said, spilling her candle wax.

'Three days before will do,' he went on,' if you are in a position to be positive then. He ought to be very thankful to me, do you know. I have done a mighty good thing for him in taking you abroad; your value is twice as great, with all the knowledge and taste that you have acquired. A year ago, you were perhaps a little limited - a little rustic; but now you have seen everything, and appreciated everything, and you will be a most entertaining companion. We have fattened the sheep for him before he kills it.' Catherine turned away, and stood staring at the blank door.' Go to bed,' said her father;' and as we don't go aboard till noon, you may sleep late. We shall probably have a most uncomfortable voyage.'


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