human
But Felix says you took her to Lowestoft,--quite the other day.
gpt
It was on account of her health.
human
Oh;--on account of her health. And did you go to the play with her?
gpt
I did.
human
Was that for her--health?
gpt
Oh, Hetta, do not speak to me like that! Cannot you understand that when she came here, following me, I could not desert her?
human
I cannot understand why you deserted her at all, said Hetta.
gpt
You say you loved her, and you promised to marry her. It seems horrid to me to marry a divorced woman,--a woman who just says that she was divorced. But that is because I don't understand American ways. And I am sure you must have loved her when you took her to the theatre, and down to Lowestoft,--for her health. That was only a week ago.
human
It was nearly three weeks,
gpt
Oh;--nearly three weeks! That is not such a very long time for a gentleman to change his mind on such a matter. You were engaged to her, not three weeks ago.
human
No, Hetta, I was not engaged to her then.
gpt
I suppose she thought you were when she went to Lowestoft with you.
human
She wanted then to force me to--to--to--. Oh, Hetta, it is so hard to explain, but I am sure that you understand. I do know that you do not, cannot think that I have, even for one moment, been false to you.
gpt
But why should you be false to her? Why should I step in and crush all her hopes? I can understand that Roger should think badly of her because she was--divorced. Of course he would. But an engagement is an engagement. You had better go back to Mrs. Hurtle and tell her that you are quite ready to keep your promise.
human
You had better go back to Mrs. Hurtle.
gpt
She knows now that it is all over.
human
I dare say you will be able to persuade her to reconsider it. When she came all the way here from San Francisco after you, and when she asked you to take her to the theatre, and to Lowestoft--because of her health, she must be very much attached to you. And she is waiting here,--no doubt on purpose for you. She is a very old friend,--very old,--and you ought not to treat her unkindly. Good bye, Mr. Montague. I think you had better lose no time in going--back to Mrs. Hurtle.
gpt
You don't mean to tell me, Hetta, that you are going to quarrel with me!
human
I don't know about quarrelling. I don't wish to quarrel with any one. But of course we can't be friends when you have married--Mrs. Hurtle.
gpt
Nothing on earth would induce me to marry her.
human
Of course I cannot say anything about that. When they told me this story I did not believe them. No; I hardly believed Roger when,--he would not tell it for he was too kind,--but when he would not contradict it. It seemed to be almost impossible that you should have come to me just at the very same moment. For, after all, Mr. Montague, nearly three weeks is a very short time. That trip to Lowestoft couldn't have been much above a week before you came to me.
gpt
What does it matter?
human
Oh no; of course not;--nothing to you. I think I will go away now, Mr. Montague. It was very good of you to come and tell me all. It makes it so much easier.
gpt
Do you mean to say that--you are going to--throw me over?
human
I don't want you to throw Mrs. Hurtle over. Good bye.
gpt
Hetta!
human
No; I will not have you lay your hand upon me. Good night, Mr. Montague.