human
Faith, I see how it is that you haven't a thought for poor Alfred, sighed Lady Dora, looking at her with tears in her bright black eyes;
gpt
I would give up anything--my life--to make amends to Colonel Brand for the misfortunes I have brought upon him, said Margaret, with burning cheeks and distressed eyes,
human
--she paused, and the tears rolled sadly down her cheeks--
gpt
A better man cares for your love then, retorted Lady Dora,
human
Your brother does me too much honor to propose such a thing,
gpt
Not a bit of it! I'll tell you candidly I thought so myself at first, and that's why I was so long in making up to you, for a simpleton as I was, and poor Alfred tearing at me every day. But I couldn't help liking you at the last, mavourneen, and I'd be the happiest woman in the three kingdoms to call you the Duchess of Piermont, and--there, it's out!
human
I had not heard that the Duke of Piermont had a sister, she faltered;
gpt
I am altogether astonished that you should advocate such a union--of course you are aware that I have not a drop of noble blood in my veins.
human
Alfred says you have? rejoined the lady, laughing enjoyably at her evident astonishment;
gpt
Is his grace on board then?
human
Yes. The boy has been in shockingly low spirits for some time, and I made him shut up bonny Glenfarron House, and take me out to America for a tour; and sure I found that we had left the old sod and its troubles, to accompany the trouble across the water. We hadn't been a day on board until he was thrown into lockjaw, or fits, by that little vision of a Chevalier, or whatever they call him, jabbering about Miss Walsingham; and since then it's a queer life I've led walking the deck, under the stars, with him, for all the world as if he was my lover, only that his talk's about you. I'll tell you what it is, Miss Margaret, darling! he's bound to you, body and soul, and I'll think it a burning shame if you turn from him to any other man that breathes.
gpt
I thank you both for this generous proposal, murmured Margaret.
human
But what I told him before, I can only repeat now--our paths lie in different directions, and cannot be brought together. Let him keep to his higher station, as I intend to keep to my lower one.