human
My darling, go on the lawn,--don't over-exert yourself--you have not quite recovered that horrid sprain--I will join you immediately--bless you!
gpt
Don't be long, papa--nobody plays so nicely as you do;
human
What think you of my nephew--of Lumley?
gpt
He seems all that is amiable, frank, and kind.
human
I think so too, he said, after a, short pause;
gpt
But, said Lady Vargrave, with evident surprise,
human
And what then, what then, Lady Vargrave? Is there no disparity of years between /us/?--a greater disparity than between Lumley and that tall girl. Lumley is a mere youth, a youth still, five-and-thirty; he will be little more than forty when they marry; I was between fifty and sixty when I married you, Lady Vargrave. I don't like boy and girl marriages: a man should be older than his wife. But you are so romantic, Lady Vargrave. Besides, Lumley is so gay and good-looking, and wears so well. He has been very nearly forming another attachment; but that, I trust, is out of his head now. They must like each other. You will not gainsay me, Lady Vargrave, and if anything happens to me--life is uncertain--
gpt
Oh, do not speak so--my friend, my benefactor!
human
Why, indeed, resumed his lordship, mildly,
gpt
I--no,--no--of course you have the right in all things over her destiny; but so young--so soft-hearted, if she should love one of her own years--
human
Love!--pooh! love does not come into girls' heads unless it is put there. We will bring her up to love Lumley. I have another reason--a cogent one--our secret!--to him it can be confided--it should not go out of our family. Even in my grave I could not rest if a slur were cast on my respectability--my name.
gpt
Yes, it is for the best, he took up his hat and quitted the room. He joined his stepchild on the lawn. He romped with her--he played with her--that stiff, stately man!--he laughed louder than she did, and ran almost as fast. And when she was fatigued and breathless, he made her sit down beside him, in a little summer-house, and, fondly stroking down her disordered tresses, said,
human
You tire me out, child; I am growing too old to play with you. Lumley must supply my place. You love Lumley?
gpt
Oh, dearly, he is so good-humoured, so kind: he has given me such a beautiful doll, with such eyes!
human
You shall be his little wife--you would like to be his little wife?
gpt
Wife! why, poor mamma is a wife, and she is not so happy as I am.
human
Your mamma has bad health, my dear, said Lord Vargrave, a little discomposed.
gpt
But it is a fine thing to be a wife and have a carriage of your own, and a fine house, and jewels, and plenty of money, and be your own mistress; and Lumley will love you dearly.
human
Oh, yes, I should like all that.
gpt
And you will have a protector, child, when I am no more.