human
Good evening, Captain Lestrange, said Sophy, sitting very erect in her chair.
gpt
You wish to see me, I believe. Why have you come?
human
To make reparation, Miss Marlow.
gpt
Oh, she said ironically,
human
I expect you have heard as much from Joe Brill, replied Lestrange, looking at her gloomily.
gpt
No, you are not my daughter, but you are my cousin, Marie Lestrange, although you choose to keep your name of Sophia Marlow.
human
I keep the name of the man who has been a father to me.
gpt
In that case, you should call yourself Beauchamp, he retorted.
human
May I sit down? Thank you. Well, I suppose you are wondering why I have come to see you?
gpt
To give me news of my father, I presume, she said.
human
Do you mean my real father?
gpt
No, I mean the false one. Your real father died long ago. He was murdered by Beauchamp.
human
He was not! cried Sophy vehemently, and started from her seat.
gpt
I have heard the story from Joe, and I know now why you came here. But nothing will induce me to believe that he killed my father. My mother fled to him from the cruelty of her husband, and you were at the bottom of all the trouble.
human
Yes, he cried fiercely,
gpt
I was! I loved your mother dearly. She gave me up for Achille, and I swore I would be revenged. I sowed dissension between them. It was through me that Zelia fled with Beauchamp. Do you think I am sorry for what happened? I am not. I hated Achille; but he is dead. I hate Beauchamp, for your mother loved him----
human
And he also is dead, interrupted Sophy;
gpt
Are you so sure he is dead?
human
I saw his dead body!
gpt
You saw him in a state of insensibility, brought about by Warrender's devilish drugs! said the Captain sharply.
human
I don't believe Beauchamp is dead. If he had been, why should his body have been carried off?
gpt
You declared that Mr. Thorold did that, and----
human
I do not say so now. Thorold had nothing to do with it; but I am quite sure that Warrender had. In order to escape me, Beauchamp allowed himself to be drugged by Warrender, and that was why Warrender assisted at the removal of the supposed dead body. I feel certain that Beauchamp is alive.
gpt
Alive! Oh! I hope so, I hope so! My dear father! cried Sophy.
human
Only prove that he is alive, Captain Lestrange, and I will forgive you all!
gpt
You forget that I am his enemy, was the fierce reply.
human
Were I able to prove that he is alive, I should at once have him arrested for the murder of your father--my cousin.
gpt
It is not true! it is not true!
human
It is, and you know it. Beauchamp must have had some very good and strong reason for allowing himself to be buried alive so as to escape me. But for your sake and for my own I will leave Beauchamp, should he be indeed alive, to the punishment of his conscience.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
I mean that I want money. You are rich, and you can pay me. Give me a thousand pounds, and I will go away and never trouble you again.
gpt
I refuse! She walked up and down the room in a state of great agitation.
human
If you were certain that Mr. Beauchamp was alive--if you were certain he had committed that crime, you would not let him escape so easily.
gpt
I would! I would! I am tired of the whole business.
human
No, no, insisted the girl;
gpt
I don't believe you. If I gave you money, I should only be supplying you with the means to cause further trouble. If my dear father--for I shall still call him so--is alive, I will leave the matter in his hands.
human
And hang him.
gpt
And save him, retorted the girl firmly.
human
You can go, Captain Lestrange. I shall not give you one penny!
gpt
Take care! he cried, shaking with rage;
human
I am desperate--I will stick at nothing. If you do not give the money I want, I shall go to the police!
gpt
Go! go! I defy you!
human
Little devil!