human
I am waiting for your definition of love,
gpt
I cannot explain the impossible.
human
It seems to me that you have been trying to do so. Would you like to hear how I define love?
gpt
Yes,
human
Love is sacrifice,
gpt
Then I--love you, he burst out.
human
There is no sacrifice I would not make for your dear sake.
gpt
Can I believe that?
human
Try me,
gpt
Get up, said Lady Jim, brusquely. He did so.
human
Take a seat! He did so.
gpt
Look at the floor, and not at me. He did so.
human
Now then, she continued, feeling relieved that those fierce eyes were not making her flesh creep,
gpt
A fool,
human
I quite agree with you, she rejoined promptly.
gpt
And why?
human
Because I love you.
gpt
Not at all. Because you don't love Katinka Aksakoff.
human
What has that to do with this?
gpt
Everything. She is free and I am not; she loves you, and I don't; she will do you good, I shall do you harm; she can gain your pardon and make your fortune----
human
And you can make me happy,
gpt
With the crumbs from my husband's table?
human
You don't love him!
gpt
You have no right to say that.
human
I have no right to make love to you, cried the doctor, rising,
gpt
--he snapped his fingers--
human
Oh, she cried, with great enjoyment,
gpt
But not my heart. I lost that months ago, when I first met you. Ah, you cruel woman, have I not worshipped and adored you these many days? Do I not ache here? he struck his breast passionately.
human
Have you not made my life miserable with your looks and smiles and coldness and beauty? He seized her hands roughly.
gpt
I love you so much that I--even I, Constantine Demetrius--could kill you--kill you.
human
That sounds as though you were in earnest. But if I could return your love----
gpt
Ah!
human
One moment. She waved him back, and retreated herself to the window.
gpt
Supposing I could love you--what then?
human
I would--I would---- He flung out his hands with a sob.
gpt
What is your price?
human
How crudely you put things! said Lady Jim, coolly.
gpt
My price is your services, to be given blindly, and without question.
human
And my reward?
gpt
Marriage with me.
human
You mock me,
gpt
No, I am in earnest. It is true that I am not free now. But, she looked at him steadily,
human
Murder,
gpt
What do you mean? she cried, stamping her foot.
human
Not a hair of Jim's head shall be harmed.
gpt
Then how--how----?
human
Sit down and listen, she said, pointing to a chair.
gpt
I have a deeper feeling for you than you think. No; leave my hand alone. We are now talking business.
human
Business,
gpt
The pleasure can come later. You have no money, no title, no position----
human
I can make money, he explained rapidly;
gpt
You will have to make your peace with the Czar to get these things.
human
I will do so.
gpt
Through Mademoiselle Askakoff?
human
No; there are other ways. I am not worthy of Katinka----
gpt
And, therefore, think yourself worthy of me, said Lady Jim, calmly.
human
Thank you! There's nothing like being honest.
gpt
But you do not understand----
human
Oh yes, I do. I understand that you can make me a cheap sort of princess, and in some way can give me money----
gpt
All that you require--as my wife.
human
You must have the lamp of Aladdin, then, said Leah, with a shrug.
gpt
My capacity for spending will try even your finances. But at the present moment I have not a penny, neither has my husband.
human
Well?
gpt
My husband's life is insured for twenty thousand pounds. If you as a doctor can arrange to satisfy the insurance company of his death, so that we can get the money, he will disappear, and I, in the eyes of the world, shall be free to marry you.
human
Do you mean that I should give him a drug, and----
gpt
No; I mean--Harold Garth.
human
My peasant patient. Well?
gpt
How stupid you are, said Lady Jim, with unfeigned irritation.
human
This man Garth is very like Jim, and is apparently dying----
gpt
He can't live another two months.
human
Then the matter is easily managed. Can't you see?
gpt
Yes, replied Demetrius, whose quick brain seized the feasibility of the scheme at once.
human
But will your husband give you up?
gpt
We have arranged that.
human
And does he know that his disappearance means our marriage?
gpt
No! He thinks you are poor, and will do anything for money.
human
Ah, said Demetrius, sarcastically.
gpt
Then the high-born nobleman does not credit me with being a gentleman?
human
What does it matter what he thinks? said Lady Jim, impatiently.
gpt
We needn't trouble about him after he disappears. Can it be managed?
human
Yes, if you will promise to marry me when you are free and in possession of this money.
gpt
I do promise.
human
Consider it done.
gpt
Without any scandal?
human
Assuredly. Listen! The Duke wishes to save the life of this Garth, because--he is fond of him.
gpt
Yes, yes; I understand. Go on.
human
I say to the Duke that a warm climate will work wonders, continued Demetrius, dramatically.
gpt
He will gladly consent, and with this Garth I go to----
human
To Nice, or Cannes, or----
gpt
No, said the doctor, sharply.
human
If I set foot on the Continent I may be captured by the secret police. I have no wish to take Garth with me to Siberia, he added sarcastically.
gpt
It is not a warm climate. The Azores--Madeira--Jamaica--Barbados--any such place, will make him better.
human
I don't want him to be made better,
gpt
Leave that to me, madame. Garth will die as Garth, and be buried as Milor, your husband.
human
No, no, said Leah, with a shudder.
gpt
I won't have murder.
human
Or he may live for months.
gpt
In that case, I may have to assist nature.
human
No, said Leah, again, and very determinedly.
gpt
I could never spend the money with any pleasure if I thought that you--you assisted nature,