human
Nay, nay. He would not do so. Believe that Desparre lied when he said that your husband was dead, since how could such a creeping snake as that slay such as he was, one so noble. Believe he lived, and, thus living, returned to find you gone. But, in doing so----
gpt
He would hate, despise, loathe me. He would deem me what I was, base and contemptible, and so, God help me! endeavour to forget. He would remember nothing except that he had parted with his freedom for ever to save so vile a thing as I.
human
Again I say nay, Laure, and now Marion's voice sank even lower, her tone became more deep.
gpt
Laure, I know the hearts of men--God help _me_, too!--I have had cause to know them--bitter cause, brought about sometimes by my own errors, sometimes by their own wickedness. And I--I tell you, you have judged wrongly. This man, this Englishman, loved you with his whole heart and soul; he loves you still.
human
Alas! alas! it cannot be, Laure murmured.
gpt
It is impossible.
human
At first, Marion went on,
gpt
Yes, Laure said, faintly, her whisper being almost drowned in the soft, cool breeze that came sweeping over them from the distant mountain-tops of the Basses Alpes.
human
Yes, I loved him from the first--from the moment when he took me to his house. Oh, God! she murmured,
gpt
Never meet again, perhaps, said Marion, scorning to hold out hopes to the other that she could not believe were ever likely to be realised;
human
And finding me dead. Here, or in the new land to which we go.
gpt
The new land to which we go! Marion echoed, scornfully.
human
The new land to which we go! I doubt if that will ever be. If it were not for these cursed irons we should be free now--free for ever. We could disperse singly, or in couples, wander forth over France, even seek other lands. And--and you could write to him.
gpt
Ah! Laure exclaimed.
human
Write to him! To do that! Oh, Marion, Marion, you are so strong, so brave! Set us free! Set us free! Set us free!