Washington Square by Henry James Page B

feline element in your own characten”
    â€œCats are very graceful, and very clean,” said Mrs. Penniman, smiling.
    â€œAnd very stealthy. You are the embodiment both of grace and of neatness; but you are wanting in frankness.”
    â€œYou certainly are not, dear brother.”
    â€œI don’t pretend to be graceful, though I try to be neat. Why haven’t you let me know that Mr. Morris Townsend is coming to the house four times a week?”
    Mrs. Penniman lifted her eyebrows. “Four times a week!”
    â€œThree times, then, or five times, if you prefer it. I am away all day, and I see nothing. But when such things happen, you should let me know.”
    Mrs. Penniman, with her eyebrows still raised, reflected intently. “Dear Austin,” she said at last, “I am incapable of betraying a confidence. I would rather suffer anything.”
    â€œNever fear; you shall not suffer. To whose confidence is it you allude? Has Catherine made you take a vow of eternal secrecy?”
    â€œBy no means. Catherine has not told me as much as she might. She has not been very trustful.”
    â€œIt is the young man, then, who has made you his confidant? Allow me to say that it is extremely indiscreet of you to form secret alliances with young men; you don’t know where they may lead you.”
    â€œI don’t know what you mean by an alliance,” said Mrs. Penniman. “I take a great interest in Mr. Townsend; I won’t conceal that. But that’s all.”
    â€œUnder the circumstances, that is quite enough. What is the source of your interest in Mr. Townsend?”
    â€œWhy,” said Mrs. Penniman, musing, and then breaking into
her smile, “that he is so interesting!”
    The doctor felt that he had need of his patience. “And what makes him interesting? His good looks?”
    â€œHis misfortunes, Austin.”
    â€œAh, he has had misfortunes? That, of course, is always interesting. Are you at liberty to mention a few of Mr. Townsend’s?”
    â€œI don’t know that he would like it,” said Mrs. Penniman.
“He has told me a great deal about himself—he has told me, in fact, his whole history. But I don’t think I ought to repeat those things. He would tell them to you, I am sure, if he thought you would listen to him kindly. With kindness you may do anything with him.”
    The doctor gave a laugh. “I shall request him very kindly, then, to leave Catherine alone.”
    â€œAh!” said Mrs. Penniman, shaking her forefinger at her brother, with her little finger turned out, “Catherine has probably said something to him kinder than that!”
    â€œSaid she loved him? Do you mean that?”
    Mrs. Penniman fixed her eyes on the floor. “As I tell you, Austin, she doesn’t confide in me.”
    â€œYou have an opinion, I suppose, all the same. It is that I ask you for; though I don’t conceal from you that I shall not regard it as conclusive.”
    Mrs. Penniman’s gaze continued to rest on the carpet; but at last she lifted it, and then her brother thought it very expressive. “I think Catherine is very happy; that is all I can say.”
    â€œTownsend is trying to marry her—is that what you mean?”
    â€œHe is greatly interested in her.”
    â€œHe finds her such an attractive girl?”
    â€œCatherine has a lovely nature, Austin,” said Mrs. Penniman, “and Mr. Townsend has had the intelligence to discover that.”
    â€œWith a little help from you, I suppose. My dear Lavinia,” cried the doctor, “you are an admirable aunt!”
    â€œSo Mr. Townsend says,” observed Lavinia, smiling.
    â€œDo you think he is sincere?” asked her brother.
    â€œIn saying that?”
    â€œNo; that’s of course. But in his admiration for Catherine?”
    â€œDeeply sincere. He has said to me the most appreciative, the most charming things about