human
Why, Rose, you have been crying; what is wrong, dear?
gpt
Nothing is wrong, she answered,
human
Are you quite satisfied, Jack?
gpt
Quite,
human
And are you as happy as you deserve to be, Rose?
gpt
Oh, Grace, said Rose, and then the two young women both cried and embraced each other until Jack gently separated them, and said:
human
Come, we must find Jim. Jim is my friend. His judgment is perfect, and I must submit this business to him.
gpt
Mr. Sedgwick has gone back to the hotel, said Grace, and a serious look was in her eyes as she spoke. But in a moment she smiled and said:
human
When I told him where you were and who was with you, he laughed and said: 'It is liable to be a case of working after hours. When the young lady succeeds in extricating herself, tell Jack, please, that I have gone out to take in London, and will see him at the hotel when he finds time to call.'
gpt
And who is Mr. Sedgwick?
human
The best and noblest man in all this world,
gpt
Oh, Jack!
human
It is true, all the same, my sorceress, said Browning.
gpt
I have seen him tested. He has been my close companion for lo! these many months.
human
I am jealous of him, said Rose.
gpt
But why did he run away? I want to know all your friends.
human
I suspect the truth is he left out of consideration for you and myself, said Browning.
gpt
He knew how I felt, and he hoped I would not be disappointed, and I suspect he thought the sacredness of our joy ought not to be disturbed.
human
Very fine, of course, said Grace;
gpt
You are right, Gracie, said Browning,
human
Why, they had a wonderfully exciting episode down in ---- on Sunday last.
gpt
That was a brave man, she said, when she had finished.
human
It must have been splendid. I wish I could have seen it. How it must have astonished those villagers. I would like to kiss the man who performed that feat.
gpt
Would you? said Jack laughingly.
human
I will tell him so when I meet him.
gpt
Please do, said Grace.
human
He must have been a grand matador from Spain, and springing up, she caught a tidy from the furniture, danced around the room with it, holding it in both hands as though bating an angry bull, and suddenly dropping it, made a grab for an imaginary ring and horn, and twisting both wrists quickly, cried out:
gpt
Did I not down his highness beautifully?
human
Beautifully, said Browning,
gpt
And don't forget to tell him I would like to kiss him,
human
Maybe I can fix it so you can tell him yourself, Grace.
gpt
Do you know him, Jack?
human
Perhaps.
gpt
What do you mean, Jack?
human
I know the man, Grace; and so do you,
gpt
True?
human
True,
gpt
I know him? asked Grace.
human
Why, who is there in ---- that would do anything like that?
gpt
No one that I know of, said Jack.
human
But you have forgotten a somewhat diffident and reserved young man with whom you were conversing in the parlor an hour ago?
gpt
O, Jack, you don't mean--?
human
Yes, he said, interrupting her,
gpt
Honest?
human
Honest, and I will deliver your message.
gpt
But, he added,
human
I believe Jim would give more to see your imitation than you would to see the original performance repeated without change of scene.
gpt
Were you not sharp, Jack, to get me to commit myself before ever gaining a glimpse of this wonderful man?
human
Indeed, was, he replied.
gpt
Why, I recall now that once when we were having a friendly dispute, he threatened that unless I came to his terms he would come over here, search you out, and try to steal you away from me.
human
But then he had not seen _me_,
gpt
But, if he is your close friend, and has come to England with you, why does he go back to the hotel?
human
Why, child, save for three days in his own father's house, he has been under no gentleman's private roof for years. He does not know our English methods. And that makes me think; I, too, must go. My own tenure here was a little uncertain, when I went away, and now I, too, am going to the hotel. When my father comes, Grace, you may tell him I have been here, that I called, but that I am staying at the ---- Hotel. If he comes and calls upon me, I shall be glad to see him; if he does not, why, to-morrow at ten, if you girls will have your hats and wraps on, I think Jim and myself will be glad to engage you for a drive. Jim has not been forbidden the premises, and he can call for you while I wait outside.
gpt
We will give the old folks a chance to do the fair thing; if they will not, what then, little one?
human
Henceforth, she answered, gravely, but low and sweet,