for them. You live, my dear," she presently added,
"in a world of vain thoughts."

"Not so much as you, Kate; for I see what I
see, and you can't turn it off that way." The elder
sister paused long enough for the younger's face
to show, in spite of superiority, an apprehension.
I'm not talking of any man but Aunt Maud's man,
nor of any money, even, if you like, but Aunt
Maud's money. I'm not talking of anything but
your doing what she wants. You re wrong if you
speak of anything that I want of you; I want noth
ing but what she does. That's good enough for
me! " and Marian's tone struck her companion as
dreadful. " If I don't believe in Merton Densher,
I do at least in Mrs. Lowder."

"Your ideas are the more striking," Kate re
turned, " that they re the same as papa s. I had
them from him, you may be interested to know
and with all the brilliancy you may imagine yes
terday."

Marian clearly was interested to know. " He has
been to see you?"

"No, I went to him."

"Really? " Marian wondered. " For what pur
pose?"

"To tell him I'm ready to go to him."

Marian stared. " To leave Aunt Maud?"

"For my father, yes."

She had fairly flushed, poor Mrs. Condrip, with
horror. " You re ready?"

[[45]]

p044 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p045w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p046

v?