human
I am engaged to marry Owen Rivers,
gpt
No, no; I must beg you to retire. I cannot hear this sort of thing, returned her aunt, waving her hand again, and turning away her head.
human
I do not intend to discuss it,
gpt
Dearest, since your aunt addresses me, let me reply to her, said Owen. He spoke in a quiet tone, although inwardly he was excited and indignant enough.
human
I must tell you, Mrs. Dormer-Smith, that we are neither of us acting on a rash impulse. We have been parted for more than three months, during which time May has been free to give me up without breaking any pledge, or incurring--from me, at least--any reproaches. If she had wavered--if she had found that she had mistaken her own feelings--she was free as air. I should have made no claim, and laid no blame, on her.
gpt
Made no claim on her! repeated Mrs. Dormer-Smith. Then she laughed the low laugh which, with her, indicated the very extremity of provocation.
human
Oh, really! Ha, ha, ha! This is too monstrous. The whole thing appears to me like insanity.
gpt
To marry without loving--_that_ appears to me like insanity,
human
May! I beseech you! Really, in the mouth of a young girl of your breeding that sort of thing is inconceivable--I am tempted to use a harsher word. _This_ then, is the reason why you have rejected one of the most brilliant prospects! Are you aware, Mr. Rivers, that this school-girl nonsense has prevented---- She caught herself up hastily, and changed her phrase--
gpt
Aunt Pauline! cried May with hot indignation.
human
How can you say so? I would never have thought of marrying Mr. Bragg, even if Owen had not existed!
gpt
But apart from that, pursued Mrs. Dormer-Smith, ignoring the interruption,