human
Two hundred pounds is not such a very large sum.
gpt
Isn't it? I'm glad you think so. It's a large sum to me; a lot too large. I've about as much chance of getting it as I have of getting the moon. And if I did get it I shouldn't be much forwarder so far as marriage is concerned. What's the use of my talking of marrying when I hardly earn enough to buy myself bread and cheese? and it's as certain as anything can be that in this place I never shall earn enough.
human
Why not?
gpt
For one reason, if for no other, because in this place there's only room for one solicitor; and old Dawson's that one. He's got all the business that's worth having; and, what's more, he'll keep it. Now if I could buy old Dawson out--I happen to know that he's made what he considers pile enough for him, and would be quite willing to retire; or even if I could buy a share in his business, he might be willing to sell that; then it might be a case of talking; but as it is, so far as I'm concerned, marriage is off.
human
How much would be wanted?
gpt
If I could lay my hands on a thousand, or fifteen hundred pounds in cash, then I might go to Dawson and make a proposal; but as I never shall be able to lay my hands on it, it would be better for both of us if we talked sense; that's what I've come for, to talk sense.
human
Does all this mean that you've found out that you made a mistake when you told me that you loved me?
gpt
It means the exact opposite; I've found out that I love you a good deal more than I thought I did. If I didn't love you I might be disposed to behave like a cad, and marry you out of hand; but as I do love you I'm not taking any chances.
human
I don't quite follow your reasoning.
gpt
Don't you? It's clear enough to me. I'm in a hole, and because I love you I'm not going to drag you in as well.
human
But suppose I should like to be dragged?
gpt
You don't understand, or you wouldn't talk like that.
human
Shouldn't I? Don't be too certain. You are sure you love me?
gpt
I love you more than I thought I could love any one, and that's the mischief.
human
Is it? I don't agree; because, you see, I love you.
gpt
It's no good; I wish you didn't.
human
Do you? Then I don't. If you wanted me to, I'd marry you to-morrow.
gpt
Elaine! Then he did take her in his arms, and he kissed her. And she kissed him. Suddenly he put her from him.
human
Don't! for God's sake, don't! Elaine, don't you tempt me! I'm not much of a chap, and I'm not much of a hand at resisting temptation--there's frankness for you!--and I want to keep straight where you're concerned. I'll make a clean breast of it; the only way I can see out of the mess I'm in is to make a bolt for it, and I'm going to bolt; there you have it. I've come up here to say good-bye.
gpt
Good-bye?
human
If ever I come to any good, which isn't very probable, you'll hear from me; you'll never hear from me if I don't; so I'm afraid that this is going to be very near a case of farewell for ever.
gpt
You say two hundred pounds will get you out of that mess you're in?
human
About that; I dare say I could manage with less if it was ready money. But what's the use of talking? I don't propose to rob a bank, and that's the only way I ever could get it.
gpt
And if you had fifteen hundred to offer Mr. Dawson, what then?
human
What then? Elaine, you're hard on me.
gpt
How hard? I don't mean to be.
human
To dangle before my face the things which I most want when you know they're not for me! Why, if I had fifteen hundred pounds, and could go to Dawson with a really serious proposition, the world would become another place; I should see my way to some sort of a career. I'd begin by earning a decent living; in no time I'd be getting together a home; in a year we might be married.
gpt
A year? That's a long time.
human
If I were Dawson's partner, with a really substantial share, we might be married right away.
gpt
How soon, from now?
human
Elaine, what are you driving at? what is the use of our deceiving ourselves? I shall become Dawson's partner when pigs have wings, not before. What I have to do is bolt, while there still is time.