human
I hear Miss Jarrott has begun to announce your engagement to Evie.
gpt
I understood she was going to, to a few intimate friends.
human
And you allowed it?
gpt
As you see.
human
Didn't you know that I should have to take that for a signal?
gpt
I've never given you to understand that a signal wouldn't come--if you required one.
human
No; but I hoped-- She broke off, continuing to gaze at the fire.
gpt
Do you remember, she began again--
human
I do.
gpt
Then I'm going to claim it. She did not look up, but she heard him change his position in his chair.
human
I shouldn't do it if there was any other way. I'm sure you understand that. Don't you?
gpt
I know you wouldn't do it, unless you were convinced there was a reason.
human
I've tried to be just to you, and to see things from your point of view. I do; I assure you. If I were in your position I should feel as you do. But I'm not in your position. I'm in one of great responsibility, toward Evie and toward her friends.
gpt
I don't see what you owe to them.
human
I owe them the loyalty that every human being owes to every other.
gpt
To every other--except me.
human
I'm loyal to you, at least, whoever else may not be. But it wouldn't be loyalty if I let you marry Evie. I'm going to ask you--not to do it--to go away--to leave her alone--to go--for good.
gpt
Is that what you meant?--just now?
human
Yes. That's what I meant.
gpt
Do you intend me to get out of New York, to go back to the South--?
human
I'm not giving orders or making conditions. New York is large. There's room in it for you and Evie, too.
gpt
I dare say. One doesn't require much space to break one's heart in.
human
Evie wouldn't break her heart. I know her better than you do. She'd suffer for a while, but she'd get over it, and in the end, very soon probably--marry some one else.
gpt
How cruel you can be,
human
I can be, when it's right. In this case I'm only as cruel as--the truth. I'm saying it because it must make things easier for you. Your own pain will be the less from the knowledge that, in time, Evie will get over hers.
gpt
I suppose it ought to be, but--