human
It was the only thing to do, Marie;--it was indeed.
gpt
But you said you had accepted some offer.
human
You don't suppose I wrote the letter?
gpt
It was your handwriting, Felix.
human
Of course it was. I copied just what he put down. He'd have sent you clean away where I couldn't have got near you if I hadn't written it.
gpt
And you have accepted nothing?
human
Not at all. As it is, he owes me money. Is not that odd? I gave him a thousand pounds to buy shares, and I haven't got anything from him yet.
gpt
Nobody ever does who gives papa money,
human
Don't they? Dear me! But I just wrote it because I thought anything better than a downright quarrel.
gpt
I wouldn't have written it, if it had been ever so.
human
It's no good scolding, Marie. I did it for the best. What do you think we'd best do now? Marie looked at him, almost with scorn. Surely it was for him to propose and for her to yield.
gpt
I wonder whether you're sure you're right about that money which you say is settled.
human
It's no good scolding.
gpt
I'm quite sure. Mamma told me in Paris,--just when we were coming away,--that it was done so that there might be something if things went wrong. And papa told me that he should want me to sign something from time to time; and of course I said I would. But of course I won't,--if I should have a husband of my own. Felix walked along, pondering the matter, with his hands in his trowsers pockets. He entertained those very fears which had latterly fallen upon Lord Nidderdale. There would be no
human
which a man could
gpt
so bad as would be his cropper were he to marry Marie Melmotte, and then find that he was not to have a shilling! And, were he now to run off with Marie, after having written that letter, the father would certainly not forgive him. This assurance of Marie's as to the settled money was too doubtful! The game to be played was too full of danger! And in that case he would certainly get neither his ú800, nor the shares. And if he were true to Melmotte, Melmotte would probably supply him with ready money. But then here was the girl at his elbow, and he no more dared to tell her to her face that he meant to give her up, than he dared to tell Melmotte that he intended to stick to his engagement. Some half promise would be the only escape for the present.
human
What are you thinking of, Felix?
gpt
It's d---- difficult to know what to do.
human
But you do love me?
gpt
Of course I do. If I didn't love you why should I be here walking round this stupid place? They talk of your being married to Nidderdale about the end of August.
human
Some day in August. But that's all nonsense, you know. They can't take me up and marry me, as they used to do the girls ever so long ago. I won't marry him. He don't care a bit for me, and never did. I don't think you care much, Felix.
gpt
Yes, I do. A fellow can't go on saying so over and over again in a beastly place like this. If we were anywhere jolly together, then I could say it often enough.
human
I wish we were, Felix. I wonder whether we ever shall be.
gpt
Upon my word I hardly see my way as yet.
human
You're not going to give it up!
gpt
Oh no;--not give it up; certainly not. But the bother is a fellow doesn't know what to do.
human
You've heard of young Mr. Goldsheiner, haven't you?
gpt
He's one of those city chaps.
human
And Lady Julia Start?
gpt
She's old Lady Catchboy's daughter. Yes; I've heard of them. They got spliced last winter.
human
Yes,--somewhere in Switzerland, I think. At any rate they went to Switzerland, and now they've got a house close to Albert Gate.
gpt
How jolly for them! He is awfully rich, isn't he?
human
I don't suppose he's half so rich as papa. They did all they could to prevent her going, but she met him down at Folkestone just as the tidal boat was starting. Didon says that nothing was easier.
gpt
Oh;--ah. Didon knows all about it.
human
That she does.
gpt
But she'd lose her place.
human
There are plenty of places. She could come and live with us, and be my maid. If you would give her ú50 for herself, she'd arrange it all.
gpt
And would you come to Folkestone?
human
I think that would be stupid, because Lady Julia did that. We should make it a little different. If you liked I wouldn't mind going to--New York. And then, perhaps, we might--get--married, you know, on board. That's what Didon thinks.
gpt
And would Didon go too?
human
That's what she proposes. She could go as my aunt, and I'd call myself by her name;--any French name you know. I should go as a French girl. And you could call yourself Smith, and be an American. We wouldn't go together, but we'd get on board just at the last moment. If they wouldn't--marry us on board, they would at New York, instantly.
gpt
That's Didon's plan?
human
That's what she thinks best,--and she'll do it, if you'll give her ú50 for herself, you know. The 'Adriatic,'--that's a White Star boat, goes on Thursday week at noon. There's an early train that would take us down that morning. You had better go and sleep at Liverpool, and take no notice of us at all till we meet on board. We could be back in a month,--and then papa would be obliged to make the best of it.