human
I'm afraid I have done nothing to warrant this great kindness, he said awkwardly.
gpt
Am I to understand that you offer it to me without conditions, asking nothing in return?
human
No; not altogether. I guess I might choose a better time, but I feel that you should know what I want. I'm going to ask a favor. I suppose you no longer think of compelling Miss Mowbray to marry Brand?
gpt
You can take it that I do not. But what is this to you?
human
Well, Harding said with a slight unsteadiness in his voice,
gpt
I want to ask you if you will give her to me?
human
So you, too, mean to make terms, when you know I cannot refuse!
gpt
No, Harding answered shortly,
human
I make none. If you had insisted on Miss Mowbray's marrying Brand, I might have had something to say. All I ask is that you give her a free choice; if she uses it to take somebody else, I won't complain.
gpt
That is remarkably generous,
human
We'll let that go. Perhaps my request is something of a shock, but I want you to hear me out. If things go well with me this year, I can give my wife every comfort you have at Allenwood, and she can lead the life she likes best--except that I can't leave the prairie. Then there is nothing that need separate your daughter from you. Many of her friends are mine; they'll welcome me into the settlement. I did not go to them; they came to me.