Morris Townsend paused in his conversation with Mrs. Penniman, and
stared, with a little smile. Then he got up, as if he were going.

"As far as you are concerned, I can't return the compliment," he said
to Catherine's companion. "But as regards Miss Sloper, it's another
affair."

Catherine thought this little speech wonderfully well turned; but she
was embarrassed by it, and she also got up. Morris Townsend stood
looking at her and smiling; he put out his hand for farewell. He was
going, without having said anything to her; but even on these terms
she was glad to have seen him.

"I will tell her what you have said--when you go!" said Mrs.
Penniman, with an insinuating laugh.

Catherine blushed, for she felt almost as if they were making sport
of her. What in the world could this beautiful young man have said?
He looked at her still, in spite of her blush; but very kindly and
respectfully.

"I have had no talk with you," he said, "and that was what I came
for. But it will be a good reason for coming another time; a little
pretext--if I am obliged to give one. I am not afraid of what your
aunt will say when I go."

With this the two young men took their departure; after which
Catherine, with her blush still lingering, directed a serious and
interrogative eye to Mrs. Penniman. She was incapable of elaborate