human
No; I shall not marry Samuel Fawthrop Wynne.
gpt
I ask why. I must have a reason. In all respects he is more than worthy of you.
human
And _I_ ask in what sense that young man is worthy of _me_?
gpt
He has twice your money, twice your common sense, equal connections, equal respectability.
human
Had he my money counted fivescore times I would take no vow to love him.
gpt
Please to state your objections.
human
He has run a course of despicable, commonplace profligacy. Accept that as the first reason why I spurn him.
gpt
Miss Keeldar, you shock me!
human
That conduct alone sinks him in a gulf of immeasurable inferiority. His intellect reaches no standard I can esteem: there is a second stumbling-block. His views are narrow, his feelings are blunt, his tastes are coarse, his manners vulgar.
gpt
The man is a respectable, wealthy man! To refuse him is presumption on your part.
human
I refuse point-blank! Cease to annoy me with the subject; I forbid it!
gpt
Is it your intention ever to marry; or do you prefer celibacy?
human
I deny your right to claim an answer to that question.
gpt
May I ask if you expect some man of title--some peer of the realm--to demand your hand?
human
I doubt if the peer breathes on whom I would confer it.
gpt
Were there insanity in the family, I should believe you mad. Your eccentricity and conceit touch the verge of frenzy.
human
Perhaps, ere I have finished, you will see me over-leap it.
gpt
I anticipate no less. Frantic and impracticable girl! Take warning! I dare you to sully our name by a _mésalliance_!
human
God be thanked that you are not! But be on your guard; I will not be trifled with!
gpt
What, in the name of common law and common sense, would you or could you do if my pleasure led me to a choice you disapproved?
human
Take care! take care!
gpt
Why? What shadow of power have _you_ over me? Why should I fear you?
human
Take care, madam!
gpt
Scrupulous care I will take, Mr. Sympson. Before I marry I am resolved to esteem--to admire--to _love_.
human
Preposterous stuff! indecorous, unwomanly!
gpt
To love with my whole heart. I know I speak in an unknown tongue; but I feel indifferent whether I am comprehended or not.
human
And if this love of yours should fall on a beggar?
gpt
On a beggar it will never fall. Mendicancy is not estimable.
human
On a low clerk, a play-actor, a play-writer, or--or----
gpt
Take courage, Mr. Sympson! Or what?
human
Any literary scrub, or shabby, whining artist.
gpt
For the scrubby, shabby, whining I have no taste; for literature and the arts I have. And there I wonder how your Fawthrop Wynne would suit me. He cannot write a note without orthographical errors; he reads only a sporting paper; he was the booby of Stilbro' grammar school!
human
Unladylike language! Great God! to what will she come?
gpt
Never to the altar of Hymen with Sam Wynne.
human
To what will she come? Why are not the laws more stringent, that I might compel her to hear reason?
gpt
Console yourself, uncle. Were Britain a serfdom and you the Czar, you could not _compel_ me to this step. _I_ will write to Mr. Wynne. Give yourself no further trouble on the subject.