human
I am in no danger. Set your heart at rest,
gpt
The danger may be far greater than you imagine, Ellis. It _is_ greater than you imagine.
human
You are talking wildly, returned the young man,
gpt
Ellis, said Mrs. Whitford, laying her hand upon the arm of her son and speaking with slow impressiveness,
human
I am older than you are by nearly thirty years, have seen more of life than you have, _and know some things that you do not know._ I have your welfare at heart more deeply than any other being except God. I know you better in some things than you know yourself. Love makes me clear-seeing. And this is why I am in such earnest with you to-night. Ellis, I want a promise from you. I ask it in the name of all that is dearest to you--in my name--in the name of Blanche--in the name of God!
gpt
You frighten me, mother, exclaimed the young man.
human
What do you mean by all this? Has any one been filling your mind with lies about me?
gpt
No; none would dare speak to me of you in anything but praise, But I want you to promise to-night, Ellis. I must have that, and then my heart will be at ease. It will be a little thing for you, but for me rest and peace and confidence in the place of terrible anxieties.
human
Promise! What? Some wild fancies have taken hold of you.
gpt
No wild fancies, but a fear grounded in things of which I would not speak. Ellis, I want you to give up the use of wine.