human
Max Van Duren, are you there?
gpt
I am here.
human
Then listen; come closer to the door and listen. You would doubtless like to know why I have shut you up here. That is what I am going to tell you. But first you must answer me one or two questions. Do you know the village of Dunhope, in Berkshire?
gpt
If you won't answer my questions, I can't tell you what you are so anxious to know.
human
I did know a place of that name some years ago.
gpt
Just so. You knew it some years ago. If we were to say seven or eight years ago, we should not be very wide of the mark. Knowing Dunhope so well, you perhaps knew a young girl who lived there once on a time--a girl whose name was Jessie Ember. Eh! am I right or wrong?
human
You are right; I did know a girl of that name.
gpt
We are getting on famously. A little bird has whispered to me that you made love to this girl, that you persuaded her to leave her situation, and that, relying on your solemn promise to make her your wife, you brought her to London; but that when you had once got her here, you quite forgot your promise to marry her. Are these things true, or are they not?
human
They are true.
gpt
Soon tiring of the girl, you turned her adrift to starve or die, or--or to become one of earth's forlornest creatures; it mattered not to you.
human
Am I not right? he asked, a moment or two later.
gpt
Have you ever, from that day to this, troubled yourself to make one single inquiry after the girl whom you once swore that you loved better than life itself? Do you even know whether she is dead or alive?
human
Who are you that you talk to me in this way? By what right do you ask me these questions?
gpt
Who am I? I will tell you who I am. I am Jessie Ember's father! Who has more right to question you than I?
human
You her father! Oh, Heaven!
gpt
Scoundrel! unmitigated scoundrel! began Pringle. Then he paused.
human
But I only demean myself by calling you names. You are where you are--and I am satisfied.
gpt
What do you want of me? I am rich, and----
human
Singular, isn't it, that I should have been with you all this time, and never have discovered till the other day that you are the man I have been looking for for years? But things do come about strangely in this world.
gpt
Unlock the door, and I will make you rich for life.
human
Ha! ha! I can be rich for life without unlocking the door.
gpt
How?
human
By waiting till you are dead, and then constituting myself your heir. No will required. No legacy duty to pay. Funeral expenses next to nothing. I saw such a splendid grey rat leap from behind the old ledgers the other day.
gpt
Villain! you would not murder me?
human
Murder you! Ha! ha! Certainly not. What put that idea into your head.
gpt
Then why don't you open the door?
human
Now you are asking a leetle too much--just a leetle. I would do anything in the world for you except open this door. You know you robbed me of my child--you ruined her and deserted her. It was only one of your little practical jokes. It's my turn now. This is one of _my_ jokes. You don't object, I hope?
gpt
Then you are going to leave me hereto starve--to die?
human
Oh no, I'm not going to leave you. There you are mistaken. I shall come a dozen times a day to see you. These little dialogues are interesting. I'll bring my pipe after awhile, and come and keep you company; but on this side the door, you know--on this side the door.
gpt
Have you no pity? Will nothing move you?
human
It will be quite a little holiday for you. Nothing to do--absolutely nothing to do. I will do all the business, attend to the letters, and answer all inquiries. 'Has Mr. Van Duren got back home yet?' 'No, sir, he is still in France, but I am expecting him every day.' Ha! ha! and you here all the time! Won't it be a lark, Van, my boy, eh?
gpt
And now I'm just going round the corner in search of an early nip to digest my breakfast. Don't get downhearted, because I shan't be long away. No, no, I value you too much to stay away from you for very long.