Mr. Townsend suggests eloping to Catherine and is surprised when she quickly agrees. Mr. Townsend worries, however, that by eloping he will be forced to accept Catherine with only the inheritance from her mother and nothing more. As Mr. Townsend waffles in his promises, Dr. Sloper suggests that he take Catherine to Europe for six months before she elope. Catherine agrees. The trip, which is extending to a year, does nothing to change Catherine's determination to marry Mr. Townsend.