human
I don't understand yet why you came to me,
gpt
I want to make amends for the harm I have done, I want to save M. Kittredge--not for myself. Don't think that! He has gone out of my life and will never come into it again. I want to save him because it's right that I should, because he has been accused of this crime through me and I know he is innocent.
human
Ah, murmured Alice joyfully,
gpt
Yes; and, if necessary, I will give evidence to clear him. I will tell exactly what happened.
human
What happened where?
gpt
In the room where this man was--was shot. Ugh!
human
You were--there?
gpt
Don't ask me about it. There isn't time now and--I told _him_ everything.
human
You mean Lloyd? You told Lloyd everything?
gpt
Yes, in the carriage. He realizes that I acted for the best, but--don't you see, if I come forward now and tell the truth, I shall be disgraced, ruined.
human
And if you don't come forward, Lloyd will remain in prison,
gpt
You don't understand. There is no case against Lloyd. He is bound to be released for want of evidence against him. I only ask you to be patient a few days and let me help him without destroying myself.
human
How can you help him unless you speak out?
gpt
I can help with money for a good lawyer. That is why I brought these bank notes. Again she offered the notes.
human
You won't refuse them--for him?
gpt
A lawyer's efforts _might_ free him in the future, your testimony will free him now.
human
Then you will betray me?
gpt
Betray? answered the girl.
human
That's a fine-sounding word, but what does it mean? I shall do the best I can for the man I love.
gpt
Ha! The best you can! And what is that? To make him ashamed of you! To make him suffer!
human
Suffer?
gpt
Why not? Don't you suppose he will suffer to find that you have no sympathy with his wishes?
human
What do you mean?
gpt
You threaten to do the very thing that he went to prison to prevent. You're going to denounce me, aren't you?
human
To save him--yes.
gpt
When it isn't necessary, when it will cause a dreadful calamity. If he wanted to be saved that way, wouldn't he denounce me himself? He knows my name, he knows the whole story. Wouldn't he tell it himself if he wanted it told?
human
I suppose he thinks it a matter of honor.
gpt
Exactly. And you who pretend to love him have so little heart, so little delicacy, that you care nothing for what he thinks a matter of honor. A pretty thing _your_ sense of honor must be!
human
Oh! shrank Alice, and the woman, seeing her advantage, pursued it relentlessly.
gpt
Did you ever hear of a _debt_ of honor? How do you know that your lover doesn't owe _me_ such a debt and isn't paying it now down there?