- [referring to Catherine's father's opinion of Morris]
- Morris Townsend: You would hear me abused without opening your lips in my defense?
- Catherine Sloper: My father would not abuse you. He does not know you well enough.
- Morris Townsend: For God's Sake! What do you think I am? I'm not good enough for you! Not nearly good enough! What do you want me to do?
- Catherine Sloper: I want you to love me.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: On the Alps, to Catherline Sloper - How obscene that your mother should give her life so you could inhabit space on this earth.
- Catherine Sloper: It occurs to me if I live with you, I ought to obey you.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: If that's your theory, it's certain mine.
- Catherine Sloper: But if I don't obey you, I ought not to live with you - to enjoy your kindness and protection.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: What a distasteful idea! It must be Mr. Townsend's.
- Catherine Sloper: No, it's mine.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: Why do you speak to me thus? I've done nothing but try to protect you from ...
- Catherine Sloper: From? From what, Father? Love? Affection? Caring? Respect?
- Catherine Sloper: I have broken off my engagement. I have asked him to leave New York for a long long time.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: How does his take his dismissal?
- Catherine Sloper: I don't know.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: You mean you don't care. You are very cruel, after encouraging him and playing him for so long.
- Catherine Sloper: I am my father's daughter.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: It would give me great satisfaction if you were to promise that upon my death you will not marry Townsend.
- Catherine Sloper: I very seldom think of Mr. Townsend.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: All the easier to keep your promise.
- Catherine Sloper: I can't promise.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: You are very obstinate.
- Catherine Sloper: I don't think you understand.
- Dr. Austin Sloper: Please explain, then.
- Catherine Sloper: I can't explain. And I can't promise.
- Catherine Sloper: You treated me badly. I felt it very much. I felt it for years. It made a great change in my life. But I can't talk about it.
- Morris Townsend: Why didn't you marry then. Levinia tells me there've been chances.
- Catherine Sloper: I didn't wish to marry. Yes.
- Morris Townsend: You had nothing to gain.
- Catherine Sloper: I had nothing to gain. What ever else happened, I did, I did love once. Well, actually.
- Morris Townsend: Do you hate me?
- Catherine Sloper: No. But please don't come here again.
- Catherine Sloper: Say it!
- Catherine Sloper: Say what? That I wanted you with your money? Is that so immoral? Would you want me without my attributes? You have money, I have... I have "this." It was a fair exchange.