human
Jacob, there be that old gentleman up at our house with Mary. Now, I sees a great deal, but I says nothing. Mary will be her mother over again, that's sartain. Suppose you go and see your old teacher, and leave me to look a'ter a customer. I begin to feel as if handling the sculls a little would be of sarvice to me. We all think idleness be a very pleasant thing when we're obliged to work but when we are idle, then we feel that a little work be just as agreeable--that's human natur'.
gpt
But, fair maiden, _omnia vincit amor_--here am I, Dominie Dobbs, who have long passed the grand climacteric, and can already muster three score years--who have authority over seventy boys, being Magister Princeps et Dux of Brentford Grammar School--who have affectioned only the sciences, and communed only with the classics--who have ever turned a deaf ear to the allurements of thy sex, and ever hardened my heart to thy fascination-- here am I, even I, Dominie Dobbs, suing at the feet of a maiden who had barely ripened into womanhood, who knoweth not to read or write, and whose father earns his bread by manual labour. I feel it all--I feel that I am too old--that thou art too young--that I am departing from the ways of wisdom, and am regardless of my worldly prospects. Still, _omnia vincit amor_, and I bow to the all-powerful god, doing him homage through thee, Mary. Vainly have I resisted--vainly have I, as I have lain in bed, tried to drive thee from my thoughts, and tear thine image from my heart. Have I not felt thy presence everywhere? Do not I astonish my worthy coadjutor, Mistress Bately, the matron, by calling her by the name of Mary, when I had always before addressed her by her baptismal name of Deborah? Nay, have not the boys in the classes discovered my weakness, and do they not shout out Mary in the hours of play? _Mare periculosum et turbidum_ hast thou been to me. I sleep not--I eat not--and every sign of love which hath been adduced by Ovidius Naso, whom I have diligently collated, do I find in mine own person. Speak, then, maiden. I have given vent to my feelings, do thou the same, that I may return, and leave not my flock without their shepherd. Speak, maiden.
human
I will, sir, if you will get up, replied Mary, who paused, and then continued.
gpt
I think, sir, that I am young and foolish, and you are old and--and--
human
Foolish, thou wouldst say.
gpt
I had rather you said it, sir, than I; it is not for me to use such an expression towards one so learned as you are. I think, sir, that I am too young to marry; and that perhaps you are--too old. I think, sir, that you are too clever--and that I am very ignorant; that it would not suit you in your situation to marry; and that it would not suit me to marry you--equally obliged to you all the same.
human
Perhaps thou hast in thy reply proved the wiser of the two, answered the Dominie;
gpt
But are there no other sorts of love besides the one you would require, sir? May I not love you because you are so clever, and so learned in Latin. May I not love you as I do my father?
human
True, true, child; it is all my own folly, and I must retrace my steps in sorrow. I have been deceived--but I have been deceived only by myself. My wishes have clouded my understanding, and have obscured my reason; have made me forgetful of my advanced years, and of the little favour I was likely to find in the eyes of a young maiden. I have fallen into a pit through blindness, and I must extricate myself, sore as will be the task. Bless thee, maiden, bless thee! May another be happy in thy love, and never feel the barb of disappointment. I will pray for thee, Mary--that Heaven may bless thee.
gpt
No, sir, do not take on so, you make me feel very uncomfortable. I have been wrong--I feel I have--though you have not blamed me, I am a very foolish girl.
human
Bless thee, child--bless thee!
gpt
Indeed, sir, I don't deserve it--I feel I do not; but pray do not grieve, sir; things will go cross in love. Now, sir, I'll tell you a secret, to prove it to you. I love Jacob--love him very much, and he does not care for me--I am sure he does not; so, you sir, you are not the only one--who is--very unhappy;
human
Poor thing! said the Dominie;
gpt
And why so, sir?
human
Because, maiden--but nay, I must not tell thee; only take my warning, Mary--fare thee well? I come not here again.
gpt
Good-bye, sir, and pray forgive me; this will be a warning to me.
human
Verily, maiden, it will be a warning to us both. God bless thee!