An excerpt from the original text.(complete · 1860 words)
N the morrow, in the afternoon, he stayed at home, awaiting Mr.
Townsend’s call—a proceeding by which it appeared to him (justly perhaps,
for he was a very busy man) that he paid Catherine’s suitor great honour,
and gave both these young people so much the less to complain of. Morris
presented himself with a countenance sufficiently serene—he appeared to
have forgotten the “insult” for which he had solicited Catherine’s
sympathy two evenings before, and Dr. Sloper lost no time in letting him
know that he had been prepared for his visit.
“Catherine told me yesterday what has been going on between you,” he
said. “You must allow me to say that it would have been becoming of you
to give me notice of your intentions before they had gone so far.”
“I should have done so,” Morris answered, “if you had not had so much the
appearance of leaving your daughter at liberty. She seems to me quite
her own mistress.”
“Literally, she is. But she has not emancipated herself morally quite so
far, I trust, as to choose a husband without consulting me. I have left
her at liberty, but I have not been in the least indifferent. The truth
is that your little affair has come to a head with a rapidity that
surprises me. It was only the other day that Catherine made your
acquaintance.”
“It was not long ago, certainly,” said Morris, with great gravity. “I
admit that we have not been slow to—to arrive at an understanding. But
that was very natural, from the moment we were sure of ourselves—and of
each other. My interest in Miss Sloper began the first time I saw her.”
“Did it not by chance precede your first meeting?” the Doctor asked.
Morris looked at him an instant. “I certainly had already heard that she
was a charming girl.”
“A charming girl—that’s what you think her?”
“Assuredly. Otherwise I should not be sitting here.”
The Doctor meditated a moment. “My dear young man,” he said at last,
“you must be very susceptible. As Catherine’s father, I have, I trust, a
just and tender appreciation of her many good qualities; but I don’t mind
telling you that I have never thought of her as a charming girl, and
never expected any one else to do so.”
Morris Townsend received this statement with a smile that was not wholly
devoid of deference. “I don’t know what I might think of her if I were
her father. I can’t put myself in that place. I speak from my own point
of view.”
“You speak very well,” said the Doctor; “but that is not all that is
necessary. I told Catherine yesterday that I disapproved of her
engagement.”
“She let me know as much, and I was very sorry to hear it. I am greatly
disappointed.” And Morris sat in silence awhile, looking at the floor.
“Did you really expect I would say I was delighted, and throw my daughter
into your arms?”
“Oh no; I had an idea you didn’t like me.”
“What gave you the idea?”
“The fact that I am poor.”
“That has a harsh sound,” said the Doctor, “but it is about the
truth—speaking of you strictly as a son-in-law. Your absence of means,
of a profession, of visible resources or prospects, places you in a
category from which it would be imprudent for me to select a husband for
my daughter, who is a weak young woman with a large fortune. In any
other capacity I am perfectly prepared to like you. As a son-in-law, I
abominate you!”
Morris Townsend listened respectfully. “I don’t think Miss Sloper is a
weak woman,” he presently said.
“Of course you must defend her—it’s the least you can do. But I have
known my child twenty years, and you have known her six weeks. Even if
she were not weak, however, you would still be a penniless man.”
“Ah, yes; that is my weakness! And therefore, you mean, I am
mercenary—I only want your daughter’s money.”
“I don’t say that. I am not obliged to say it; and to say it, save under
stress of compulsion, would be very bad taste. I say simply that you
belong to the wrong category.”
“But your daughter doesn’t marry a category,” Townsend urged, with his
handsome smile. “She marries an individual—an individual whom she is so
good as to say she loves.”
“An individual who offers so little in return!”
“Is it possible to offer more than the most tender affection and a
lifelong devotion?” the young man demanded.
“It depends how we take it. It is possible to offer a few other things
besides; and not only is it possible, but it’s usual. A lifelong
devotion is measured after the fact; and meanwhile it is customary in
these cases to give a few material securities. What are yours? A very
handsome face and figure, and a very good manner. They are excellent as
far as they go, but they don’t go far enough.”
“There is one thing you should add to them,” said Morris; “the word of a
gentleman!”
“The word of a gentleman that you will always love Catherine? You must
be a very fine gentleman to be sure of that.”
“The word of a gentleman that I am not mercenary; that my affection for
Miss Sloper is as pure and disinterested a sentiment as was ever lodged
in a human breast! I care no more for her fortune than for the ashes in
that grate.”
“I take note—I take note,” said the Doctor. “But having done so, I turn
to our category again. Even with that solemn vow on your lips, you take
your place in it. There is nothing against you but an accident, if you
will; but with my thirty years’ medical practice, I have seen that
accidents may have far-reaching consequences.”
Morris smoothed his hat—it was already remarkably glossy—and continued to
display a self-control which, as the Doctor was obliged to admit, was
extremely creditable to him. But his disappointment was evidently keen.
“Is there nothing I can do to make you believe in me?”
“If there were I should be sorry to suggest it, for—don’t you see?—I
don’t want to believe in you!” said the Doctor, smiling.
“I would go and dig in the fields.”
“That would be foolish.”
“I will take the first work that offers, to-morrow.”
“Do so by all means—but for your own sake, not for mine.”
“I see; you think I am an idler!” Morris exclaimed, a little too much in
the tone of a man who has made a discovery. But he saw his error
immediately, and blushed.
“It doesn’t matter what I think, when once I have told you I don’t think
of you as a son-in-law.”
But Morris persisted. “You think I would squander her money.”
The Doctor smiled. “It doesn’t matter, as I say; but I plead guilty to
that.”
“That’s because I spent my own, I suppose,” said Morris. “I frankly
confess that. I have been wild. I have been foolish. I will tell you
every crazy thing I ever did, if you like. There were some great follies
among the number—I have never concealed that. But I have sown my wild
oats. Isn’t there some proverb about a reformed rake? I was not a rake,
but I assure you I have reformed. It is better to have amused oneself
for a while and have done with it. Your daughter would never care for a
milksop; and I will take the liberty of saying that you would like one
quite as little. Besides, between my money and hers there is a great
difference. I spent my own; it was because it was my own that I spent
it. And I made no debts; when it was gone I stopped. I don’t owe a
penny in the world.”
“Allow me to inquire what you are living on now—though I admit,” the
Doctor added, “that the question, on my part, is inconsistent.”
“I am living on the remnants of my property,” said Morris Townsend.
“Thank you!” the Doctor gravely replied.
Yes, certainly, Morris’s self-control was laudable. “Even admitting I
attach an undue importance to Miss Sloper’s fortune,” he went on, “would
not that be in itself an assurance that I should take much care of it?”
“That you should take too much care would be quite as bad as that you
should take too little. Catherine might suffer as much by your economy
as by your extravagance.”
“I think you are very unjust!” The young man made this declaration
decently, civilly, without violence.
“It is your privilege to think so, and I surrender my reputation to you!
I certainly don’t flatter myself I gratify you.”
“Don’t you care a little to gratify your daughter? Do you enjoy the idea
of making her miserable?”
“I am perfectly resigned to her thinking me a tyrant for a twelvemonth.”
“For a twelvemonth!” exclaimed Morris, with a laugh.
“For a lifetime, then! She may as well be miserable in that way as in
the other.”
Here at last Morris lost his temper. “Ah, you are not polite, sir!” he
cried.
“You push me to it—you argue too much.”
“I have a great deal at stake.”
“Well, whatever it is,” said the Doctor, “you have lost it!”
“Are you sure of that?” asked Morris; “are you sure your daughter will
give me up?”
“I mean, of course, you have lost it as far as I am concerned. As for
Catherine’s giving you up—no, I am not sure of it. But as I shall
strongly recommend it, as I have a great fund of respect and affection in
my daughter’s mind to draw upon, and as she has the sentiment of duty
developed in a very high degree, I think it extremely possible.”
Morris Townsend began to smooth his hat again. “I too have a fund of
affection to draw upon!” he observed at last.
The Doctor at this point showed his own first symptoms of irritation.
“Do you mean to defy me?”
“Call it what you please, sir! I mean not to give your daughter up.”
The Doctor shook his head. “I haven’t the least fear of your pining away
your life. You are made to enjoy it.”
Morris gave a laugh. “Your opposition to my marriage is all the more
cruel, then! Do you intend to forbid your daughter to see me again?”
“She is past the age at which people are forbidden, and I am not a father
in an old-fashioned novel. But I shall strongly urge her to break with
you.”
“I don’t think she will,” said Morris Townsend.
“Perhaps not. But I shall have done what I could.”
“She has gone too far,” Morris went on.
“To retreat? Then let her stop where she is.”
“Too far to stop, I mean.”
The Doctor looked at him a moment; Morris had his hand on the door.
“There is a great deal of impertinence in your saying it.”
“I will say no more, sir!” Morris answered; and, making his bow, he left
the room.
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Let's Analyse the Pattern
Using questions and dialogue not to understand or learn, but to gather evidence that supports a pre-existing judgment while maintaining the appearance of fairness.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when someone with authority uses questions not to understand, but to prove they were right all along.
Practice This Today
Next time someone in authority asks you to 'explain yourself,' watch whether they actually process your answers or just wait for you to confirm their assumptions.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Key Quotes & Analysis
"She seems to me quite her own mistress."
Context: Morris defends not asking permission first by claiming Catherine makes her own decisions
Morris tries to use modern ideas about women's independence to excuse his breach of etiquette. It's a clever argument but reveals he doesn't understand the family dynamics.
In Today's Words:
She's an adult who can make her own choices.
"I have left her at liberty, but I have not been in the least indifferent."
Context: The doctor explains his parenting philosophy after Morris suggests Catherine is independent
This reveals Dr. Sloper's controlling nature disguised as caring guidance. He gives Catherine freedom but watches everything she does with it.
In Today's Words:
I let her do what she wants, but I'm definitely paying attention.
"The truth is that your little affair has come to a head with a rapidity that surprises me."
Context: The doctor expresses suspicion about how quickly the relationship progressed
By calling it a 'little affair,' he diminishes its importance while questioning Morris's motives. The speed bothers him because it suggests calculation rather than genuine love.
In Today's Words:
This whole thing happened way too fast for my liking.
Thematic Threads
Power
In This Chapter
Dr. Sloper uses his social position and control over Catherine's inheritance to dominate the conversation with Morris
Development
Building from earlier subtle displays—now openly wielded as a weapon in direct confrontation
In Your Life:
You might recognize this when a boss or authority figure 'asks for your input' but clearly has no intention of considering it
Class
In This Chapter
The doctor explicitly states that Morris's poverty makes him unsuitable, regardless of his character or feelings
Development
Previous hints about social expectations now stated as absolute barriers to the relationship
In Your Life:
You see this when people dismiss your opinions or relationships based on your job, education, or neighborhood
Performance
In This Chapter
Both men maintain elaborate politeness while engaged in psychological warfare, neither showing their true feelings
Development
Extends the theme of social masks—even in private confrontation, both perform their roles
In Your Life:
You might find yourself doing this in difficult family conversations or workplace conflicts where you can't afford to show anger
Control
In This Chapter
Dr. Sloper attempts to control Catherine's future by eliminating Morris through intimidation and logical argument
Development
His paternalistic control now extends to directly interfering with Catherine's romantic choices
In Your Life:
You might experience this when family members try to manage your relationships or career choices 'for your own good'
Judgment
In This Chapter
The doctor has already decided Morris is a fortune hunter and uses the conversation to confirm rather than test this belief
Development
His initial suspicions have hardened into absolute certainty, making genuine dialogue impossible
In Your Life:
You see this when someone has already made up their mind about you but goes through the motions of giving you a chance to explain
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What strategy does Dr. Sloper use when talking to Morris, and how does Morris respond to each of his points?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does Dr. Sloper give Morris a chance to defend himself if he's already made up his mind about the engagement?
analysis • medium - 3
Think about job interviews, family discussions, or medical appointments you've experienced. When have you encountered someone who seemed to be listening but had already decided what they thought?
application • medium - 4
If you were Morris in this situation, how would you handle a conversation with someone who holds all the power and seems determined to dismiss you?
application • deep - 5
What does this conversation reveal about how people use questions as weapons rather than tools for understanding?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Decode the Power Play
Rewrite this conversation from Morris's perspective, but this time have him recognize what Dr. Sloper is really doing. How would Morris respond differently if he understood he was in a rigged conversation from the start? Write out three specific things Morris could say or do to change the dynamic.
Consider:
- •Notice when questions feel like traps rather than genuine curiosity
- •Consider what Morris's real options are given the power imbalance
- •Think about how to maintain dignity when someone is trying to diminish you
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you realized someone was asking you questions not to understand you, but to prove a point they'd already decided. How did you handle it? What would you do differently now?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 13: Building on Fear and Loyalty
Dr. Sloper's sister Mrs. Almond thinks he might be too harsh in his judgment of Morris. But the doctor has spent his career reading people, and he trusts his instincts about character—especially when it comes to protecting his daughter's fortune.
