human
What do you think, Lawrence?
gpt
I don't understand it, Agatha. What have you done to her?
human
Nothing. Are you pleased?
gpt
You are a witch; I believe you must have a familiar somewhere. She is wonderful--wonderful!
human
Is she a ward to be proud of and to love, Lawrence? Is she the sweetest and prettiest girl you ever saw? My dear cousin, I declare to you that I think her faultless. At least, her very faults are attractive. She is impetuous and self-willed, but she is full of sympathy. And that seems to have grown up in her altogether in the last few months.
gpt
Her manner appears to be more perfect than anything I have ever seen.
human
It is because she has no self-consciousness. She is like a child still, my dear Phillis, so far.
gpt
I wonder if it is because she cannot read? Why should we not prohibit the whole sex from learning to read?
human
Nonsense, Lawrence. What would the novelists do? Besides, she is learning to read fast. I put her this morning into the Third Lesson Book--two syllables. And it is not as if she were ignorant, because she knows a great deal.
gpt
Then why is it?
human
I think her sweet nature has something to do with it; and, besides, she has been shielded from many bad influences. We send girls to school, and--and--well, Lawrence, we cannot all be angels, any more than men. If girls learn about love, and establishments, and flirtations, and the rest of it, why, they naturally want their share of these good things. Then they get self-conscious.
gpt
What about Jack Dunquerque? asked Lawrence abruptly.
human
He has been to me about her.
gpt
He loves Phillis, she said;
human
Agatha, you are no wiser than little Red Riding Hood. Jack Dunquerque is a wolf.
gpt
I am sure he is a most honourable, good young man.
human
As for good, goodness knows. Honourable no doubt, and a wolf. You are a matchmaker, you bad, bad woman. I believe you want him to marry that young Princess over there.
gpt
And what did you tell poor Jack?
human
Told him to wait. Acted the stern guardian. Won't have an engagement. Must let Phillis have her run. Mustn't come here perpetually trying to gobble up my dainty heiress. Think upon that now, Cousin Agatha.
gpt
She could not marry into a better family.
human
Very true. The Dunquerques had an Ark of their own, I believe, at the Deluge. But then Jack is not Lord Isleworth; and he isn't ambitious, and he isn't clever, and he isn't rich.
gpt
Go on, Lawrence; it is charming to see you in a new character--Lawrence the Prudent!
human
Charmed to charm _la belle cousine_. He is in love, and he is hit as hard as any man I ever saw. But Phillis shall not be snapped up in this hasty and inconsiderate manner. There are lots of better _partis_ in the field.