human
I heard him leave the house before the Melmottes went,
gpt
He might have stayed to-night. Do you think he asked her?
human
How can I say, mamma?
gpt
I should have thought you would have been anxious about your brother. I feel sure he did,--and that she accepted him.
human
If so I hope he will be good to her. I hope he loves her.
gpt
Why shouldn't he love her as well as any one else? A girl need not be odious because she has money. There is nothing disagreeable about her.
human
No,--nothing disagreeable. I do not know that she is especially attractive.
gpt
Who is? I don't see anybody specially attractive. It seems to me you are quite indifferent about Felix.
human
Do not say that, mamma.
gpt
Yes you are. You don't understand all that he might be with this girl's fortune, and what he must be unless he gets money by marriage. He is eating us both up.
human
I would not let him do that, mamma.
gpt
It's all very well to say that, but I have some heart. I love him. I could not see him starve. Think what he might be with ú20,000 a-year!
human
If he is to marry for that only, I cannot think that they will be happy.
gpt
You had better go to bed, Henrietta. You never say a word to comfort me in all my troubles.