death. Dr Sloper arranges a meeting with Morris’s sister, a widow with small children who lives in straightened circumstances, but a frank discussion with her only confirms Dr Sloper's opinion of Morris as a fortune hunter. Later that morning, when Morris arrives to formally request Catherine’s hand in marriage, the doctor refuses. Catherine is greatly distressed by her father’s attitude, but as she already has $10,000 a year (inherited from her mother) she says that she and Morris can still afford to marry and live comfortably. Her father tells her that she may do as she pleases, but if she marries without his approval she will forfeit her inheritance from him. However Morris persuades Catherine that it would not be right to marry without Dr Sloper’s blessing. It is agreed that the doctor will take Catherine abroad for six months, and if she and Morris still wish to marry at the end of that period, he will not stand in their way. But the doctor is privately hoping that the enforced separation will end their romance. While Dr Sloper and Catherine are touring Europe, Morris pays regular visits to their house, encouraged by Aunt Penniman. They make a plan, whereby Morris will elope with Catherine when she returns. However, on the travellers’ return to New York, Dr Sloper is not best pleased when he discovers that Morris has been treating his home “like his club” and helping himself to the doctor’s brandy and cigars. He sneers at Catherine’s continued attachment to the young man, telling her that she is so lacking in charm or accomplishments that the only reason Morris could possibly want her is for her money. Catherine, who has never heard her father talk to her like this, is deeply hurt when confronted with his true opinion of her. After Dr Sloper has left the room Catherine sees Morris outside, waiting for her in the pouring rain, and she runs out to him delightedly. As the lovers embrace, Morris tells her of his elopement plan, which is for the following night. But Catherine begs him to take her away that very night. He agrees, but tells Catherine she must leave a letter for her father, so that he will forgive them. However Catherine refuses; she says she has learned that her father despises her and even if he were prepared to forgive her, she would not forgive him.