Washington Square

Mrs. Penniman goes to Catherine’s room, where she is still crying. She asks what is wrong, but Catherine replies that nothing has happened and tells her aunt to leave her alone. Mrs. Penniman writes to Townsend to ask what has happened, but Townsend replies neither to Mrs. Penniman nor to two short notes Catherine sends him.

On Sunday, Catherine says she will not attend church, as usual. Mrs. Penniman starts toward church but changes her mind and returns to the house. Catherine is gone. When she returns, she admits that she tried to see Townsend but was told that he already left town. Mrs. Penniman responds that Catherine must remain strong despite the separation, but Catherine said nothing of a separation. Catherine demands to know what her aunt knows. In the course of the conversation, Catherine understands that Townsend has broken with her.

Catherine does not go with Dr. Sloper and Mrs. Penniman on the usual Sunday visit to Mrs. Almond’s home. When Mrs. Penniman returns she advises Catherine to tell her father that nothing has changed if he asks about the relationship with Townsend. Meanwhile, Catherine received a letter from Townsend, sent from Philadelphia, indicating he is on a business trip to try to erase Catherine from his mind, a trip that could last several months.

Dr. Sloper eventually approaches Catherine. He accuses Catherine of planning to leave the house and marry without giving him notice as previously agreed. Dr. Sloper asks to know when Catherine will be leaving for he has decided to evict Mrs. Penniman at the same time. Catherine tells her father that she will not be going away, but she says that it is she who broke off the engagement, not Townsend.

Mrs. Almond guesses that Catherine has been jilted. She tells Dr. Sloper he lacks sympathy for Catherine’s suffering. Dr. Sloper believes that the breaking off of the engagement may be a ruse. He suspects that Townsend may be waiting for the doctor’s death, having made a secret arrangement with Catherine to marry her then.

As the years go by, Catherine refuses at least two suitors, a wealthy widower with three children and a young lawyer with great prospects who has the support of Dr. Sloper. Dr. Sloper cannot understand why Catherine refuses to marry unless it is due to an arrangement with Townsend. Catherine takes on an abundance of charitable work and establishes a place in society as a mentor figure for young women and girls. Mrs. Penniman, for her part, goes 17 years without mentioning Townsend to Catherine.

Dr. Sloper asks Catherine to promise him that she will not marry Townsend after his death. Catherine says she seldom thinks of Townsend but is unwilling to make the promise. He presses the point by suggesting that he will change his will. She again tells him she cannot make him such a promise.

Dr. Sloper becomes seriously ill after being caught in a rainstorm. The doctor dies after a three-week illness at the age of 70. The doctor’s will consists of two parts. The first is from 10 years prior and leaves the greater part of his property to his Catherine, with generous amounts also going to her two aunts. The second part of the will, however, is a codicil amending the prior version. Under the codicil, the aunts’ shares remain the same, but Catherine’s share is reduced to one-fifth of what she was originally to receive. The codicil indicates the change is being made because Catherine has been subject to unscrupulous suitors.

Catherine and Mrs. Penniman continue living in Washington Square after the doctor’s death. One evening, Mrs. Penniman tells Catherine she has seen Townsend. When Catherine replies that she hopes Townsend is well, her aunt says that he changed but that he would like to see Catherine. Catherine says she would rather not see him.

Mrs. Penniman also informs Catherine that Townsend failed in his business endeavors. He married while in Europe, but his wife died soon after the marriage. Townsend returned to the city a few days ago, and Mrs. Penniman saw him at the home of Catherine’s cousin. When Mrs. Penniman says Townsend told her that Catherine is the real love of his life, Catherine asks her aunt to discontinue the conversation because it pains her. Catherine cries silent tears.

A week later, Mrs. Penniman again brings up Townsend to Catherine. She says that Townsend very much wishes to see her. Catherine feels there could be no good reason for the two of them to meet. Mrs. Penniman continues that Townsend wishes to explain himself. Catherine asks Mrs. Penniman to tell Townsend to leave her alone.

The doorbell rings, and Townsend is announced. Catherine sees him in the parlor; she notes that he is markedly changed in appearance, though still handsome. Townsend asks if Catherine will sit down, but she says that they should not sit down and that he should not have come.

Catherine tells him they will never be friends, and she will not permit him to come again to see her. Townsend claims that they are now free to marry, but Catherine says she cannot forget how badly Townsend treated her. Townsend leaves, pausing in the hallway long enough to complain to Mrs. Penniman about her part in encouraging him to come. Catherine continues with her needlework in the parlor.