human
I am sorry to see you so unwell, sir. You certainly don't look at all the thing,
gpt
I am not well--not at all well. I don't want Charlotte to know. But there need be no disguises between you and me; of course I show it; but we will come to that presently. First, about your own affairs. Lottie has told you what I want you for to-night?
human
She has, Mr. Harman. She says that you have been good and generous enough to say you will take away the one slight embargo you made to our marriage--that we may become man and wife before I bring you news of that brief.
gpt
Yes, Hinton: that is what I said to her this morning: I repeat the same to you to-night. You may fix your wedding-day when you like--I dare say you have fixed it.
human
Charlotte has named the twentieth of next June, sir; but----
gpt
The twentieth of June! that is four months away. I did not want her to put it off as far as that. However, women, even the most sensible, have such an idea of the time it takes to get a trousseau. The twentieth of June! You can make it sooner, can't you?
human
Four months is not such a long time, sir. We have a house to get, and furniture to buy. Four months will be necessary to make these arrangements.
gpt
No, they won't; for you have no such arrangements to make. You are to come and live here when you marry. This will be your house when you marry, and I shall be your guest. I can give you Charlotte Hinton; but I cannot do without her myself.
human
But this house means a very, very large income, Mr. Harman. Is it prudent that we should begin like this? For my part I should much rather do on less.
gpt
You may sell the house if you fancy, and take a smaller one; or go more into the country. I only make one proviso--that while I live, I live with my only daughter.
human
And with your son, too, Mr. Harman,