human
Oh! said she, as if the action had unsealed her lips,
gpt
I was miserable when I thought you would not come. I am almost too happy now. Are you happy, Robert? Do you like to come home?
human
I think I do--to-night, at least.
gpt
Are you certain you are not fretting about your frames, and your business, and the war?
human
Not just now.
gpt
Are you positive you don't feel Hollow's Cottage too small for you, and narrow, and dismal?
human
At this moment, no.
gpt
Can you affirm that you are not bitter at heart because rich and great people forget you?
human
No more questions. You are mistaken if you think I am anxious to curry favour with rich and great people. I only want means--a position--a career.
gpt
Which your own talent and goodness shall win you. You were made to be great; you _shall_ be great.
human
I wonder now, if you spoke honestly out of your heart, what recipe you would give me for acquiring this same greatness; but I know it--better than you know it yourself. Would it be efficacious? Would it work? Yes--poverty, misery, bankruptcy. Oh, life is not what you think it, Lina!
gpt
But you are what I think you.
human
I am not.
gpt
You are better, then?
human
Far worse.
gpt
No; far better. I know you are good.
human
How do you know it?
gpt
You look so, and I feel you _are_ so.
human
Where do you feel it?
gpt
In my heart.
human
Ah! You judge me with your heart, Lina: you should judge me with your head.
gpt
I do; and then I am quite proud of you. Robert, you cannot tell all my thoughts about you.
human
Think meanly of me, Lina, said he.
gpt
Men, in general, are a sort of scum, very different to anything of which you have an idea. I make no pretension to be better than my fellows.
human
If you did, I should not esteem you so much. It is because you are modest that I have such confidence in your merit.
gpt
Are you flattering me?
human
No,
gpt
You don't care whether I think you flatter me or not?
human
No.
gpt
You are so secure of your own intentions?
human
I suppose so.
gpt
What are they, Caroline?
human
Only to ease my mind by expressing for once part of what I think, and then to make you better satisfied with yourself.
gpt
By assuring me that my kinswoman is my sincere friend?
human
Just so. I am your sincere friend, Robert.
gpt
And I am--what chance and change shall make me, Lina.
human
Not my enemy, however?
gpt
which Sarah said was the queerest mess she ever saw, and a waste of God's good gifts, as it was
human
and which mademoiselle affirmed to be
gpt
Not my enemy, Robert? And Moore, Quaker-like, had replied with another query,
human
Could I be?