human
Suppose we go back a little, he said reassuringly.
gpt
About six months ago, I think it was in January, a young chap in a fur overcoat drifted into this old stone barn and took a turn around it. He saw the treasure and the fake relics and the white marble French gentleman trying to get out of his coffin. And he didn't care a hang about any of 'em until he saw you. Then he began to take notice. The next day he came back and you sold him a little red guidebook that told all about the twenty-five chapels and the seven hundred and ninety-two saints. No, seven hundred and ninety-three, for there was one saint with wonderful eyes and glorious hair and----
human
Please don't,
gpt
Why not? You don't know which saint I was talking about. It was My Lady of the Candles. She had the most beautiful hands in the world, and all day long she sat at a table making stitches on cloth of gold. Which was bad for her eyes, by the way.
human
Ah, yes!
gpt
There are all kinds of miracles in Notre-Dame, he went on playfully,
human
In bitter cold weather,
gpt
He was pretty blue that day, wasn't he? Dead sore on the game. Money all blown in, overcoat up the spout, nothing ahead, and a whole year of--of damned foolishness behind. Excuse _me_, but that's what it was. Well, he blew in that day and--he walked over to where you were sitting, you darling little saint!
human
No, no, murmured Alice,
gpt
Anyhow you were kind to me, and I opened up a little. I told you a few things, and--when I went away I felt more like a man. I said to myself: 'Lloyd Kittredge, if you're any good you'll cut out this thing that's been raising hell with you'--excuse _me_, but that's what it was--'and you'll make a new start, right now.' And I did it. There's a lot you don't know, but you can bet all your rosaries and relics that I've made a fair fight since then. I've worked and--been decent and--I did it all for you. His voice was vibrant now with passion; he caught her hand in his and repeated the words, leaning closer, so that she felt his warm breath on her cheek.
human
All for you. You know that, don't you, Alice?
gpt
You mustn't do that!
human
Why not?
gpt
Because I cannot be what you--what you want me to be,
human
I want you to be my wife.
gpt
I know.
human
And--and you refuse me?
gpt
Alice, he cried,
human
It _is_ true, Lloyd; I can never be your wife.
gpt
But why? Why?
human
I--I cannot tell you,
gpt
Is it something against me?
human
Oh, no!
gpt
Sure? Isn't it something you've heard that I've done or--or not done? Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings. I'll make a clean breast of it all, if you say so. God knows I was a fool, but I've kept straight since I knew you, I'll swear to that.
human
I believe you, dear.
gpt
You believe me, you call me 'dear,' you look at me out of those wonderful eyes as if you cared for me.
human
I do, I do,
gpt
You care for me, and yet you turn me down, he said bitterly.
human
It reminds me of a verse I read, and drawing a small volume from his pocket he turned the pages quickly.
gpt
Ah, here it is, and he marked some lines with a pencil.
human
There!
gpt
Je n'aimais qu'elle au monde, et vivre un jour sans elle Me semblait un destin plus affreux que la mort. Je me souviens pourtant qu'en cette nuit cruelle Pour briser mon lien je fis un long effort. Je la nommai cent fois perfide et déloyale, Je comptai tous les maux qu'elle m'avait causés.
human
You don't think that, you _can't_ think that of me?
gpt
I'd rather think you a coquette than--
human
You dear child, he went on tenderly.
gpt
I'll never believe any ill of you, never. I won't even ask your reasons; but I want some encouragement, something to work for. I've got to have it. Just let me go on hoping; say that in six months or--or even a year you will be my own sweetheart--promise me that and I'll wait patiently. Can't you promise me that?
human
Then you will never be my wife? Never? No matter what I do or how long I wait? Is that it?
gpt
That's it,
human
I understand, he said,
gpt
You won't leave me? Lloyd, you won't leave me?
human
What do you think I am? A jumping jack for you to pull a string and make me dance? Well, I guess not. Leave you? Of course I'll leave you. I wish I had never seen you; I'm sorry I ever came inside this blooming church!
gpt
Oh!
human
You don't play fair, he went on recklessly.
gpt
You haven't played fair at all. You knew I loved you, and--you led me on, and--this is the end of it.
human
No, she cried, stung by his words,
gpt
I like the way you show it,
human
Haven't I helped you all these months? Isn't my friendship something?
gpt
It isn't enough for me.
human
Then how about _me_, if I want _your_ friendship, if I'm hungry for it, if it's all I have in life? How about that, Lloyd?
gpt
It sounds well, but there's no sense in it. I can't stand for this let-me-be-a-sister-to-you game, and I won't.
human
Lloyd, she said gently,
gpt
Got an appointment.
human
An appointment?
gpt
Yes, a banquet.
human
You didn't tell me!
gpt
No.
human
Where is the banquet?
gpt
At the Ansonia. It's a new restaurant on the Champs Elysées, very swell. I didn't tell you because--well, because I didn't.
human
Lloyd, she whispered,
gpt
Don't go? Why, this is our national holiday. I'm down to tell some stories. I've _got_ to go. Besides, I wouldn't come to you, anyway. What's the use? I've said all I can, and you've said 'No.' So it's all off--that's right, Alice, _it's all off_.
human
Lloyd, she begged,
gpt
No!
human
I ask it for _you_. I--I feel that something is going to happen. Don't laugh. Look at the sky, there beyond the black towers. It's red, red like blood, and--Lloyd, I'm afraid.