"He certainly has not the cut of a schoolmaster!" Mrs. Almond said to herself a short time afterwards, as she saw Morris Townsend in a corner bending over her niece, who was seated.
And there was, indeed, nothing in the young man's discourse at this moment that savoured of the pedagogue.
"Will you meet me somewhere to-morrow or next day?" he said, in a low tone, to Catherine.
"Meet you?" she asked, lifting her frightened eyes.
"I have something particular to say to you—very particular."
"Can't you come to the house? Can't you say it there?"
Townsend shook his head gloomily. "I can't enter your doors again!"
"Oh, Mr. Townsend!" murmured Catherine. She trembled as she wondered what had happened, whether her father had forbidden it.
"I can't in self-respect," said the young man. "Your father has insulted me."
"Insulted you?"
"He has taunted me with my poverty."
