HE HAD BEEN PUZZLED by the way that Catherine carried herself; her attitude at this sentimental crisis seemed to him unnaturally passive.
She had not spoken to him again after that scene in the library, the day before his interview with Morris; and a week had elapsed without making any change in her manner.There was nothing in it that appealed for pity, and he was even a little disappointed at her not giving him an opportunity to make up for his harshness by some manifestation of liberality which should operate as a compensation.He thought a little of offering to take her for a tour in Europe; but he was determined to do this only in case she should seem mutely to reproach him.He had an idea that she would display a talent for mute reproaches, and he was surprised at not finding himself exposed to these silent batteries.She said nothing, either tacitly or explicitly, and as she was never very talkative, there was now no especial eloquence in her reserve.And poor Catherine was not sulky- a style of behavior for which she had too little histrionic talent-she was simply very patient.Of course she was thinking over her situation, and she was apparently doing so in a deliberate and unimpassioned manner, with a view of making the best of it.
"She will do as I have bidden her," said the doctor; and he made the further reflection that his daughter was not a woman of a great spirit.
I know not whether he had hoped for a little more resistance for the sake of a little more entertainment; but he said to himself, as he had said before, that though it might have its momentary alarms, paternity was, after all, not an exciting vocation.
Catherine meanwhile had made a discovery of a very different sort;it had become vivid to her that there was a great excitement in trying to be a good daughter.She had an entirely new feeling, which may be described as a state of expectant suspense about her own actions.
She watched herself as she would have watched another person, and wondered what she would do.It was as if this other person, who was both herself and not herself, had suddenly sprung into being, inspiring her with a natural curiosity as to the performance of untested functions.
"I am glad I have such a good daughter," said her father, kissing her, after the lapse of several days.
"I am trying to be good," she answered, turning away, with a conscience not altogether clear.