human
Speaking of which, said I,
gpt
I met your father no later than this morning.
human
Did you? she cried, with a voice of joy that seemed to mock at me.
gpt
You saw James More? You will have spoken with him, then?
human
I did even that,
gpt
Ah, thank you for that!
human
You thank me for very little, said I, and then stopped. But it seemed when I was holding back so much, something at least had to come out.
gpt
I spoke rather ill to him, said I;
human
I did not like him very much; I spoke him rather ill, and he was angry.
gpt
I think you had little to do then, and less to tell it to his daughter! she cried out.
human
But those that do not love and cherish him I will not know.
gpt
I will take the freedom of a word yet, said I, beginning to tremble.
human
Perhaps neither your father nor I are in the best of good spirits at Prestongrange's. I daresay we both have anxious business there, for it's a dangerous house. I was sorry for him too, and spoke to him the first, if I could but have spoken the wiser. And for one thing, in my opinion, you will soon find that his affairs are mending.
gpt
It will not be through your friendship, I am thinking, said she;
human
Miss Drummond, cried I,
gpt
I am alone in this world....
human
And I am not wondering at that,
gpt
O, let me speak! said I.
human
I will speak but the once, and then leave you, if you will, for ever. I came this day in the hopes of a kind word that I am sore in want of. I know that what I said must hurt you, and I knew it then. It would have been easy to have spoken smooth, easy to lie to you; can you not think how I was tempted to the same? Cannot you see the truth of my heart shine out?
gpt
I think here is a great deal of work, Mr. Balfour, said she.
human
I think we will have met but the once, and will can part like gentle-folk.
gpt
O, let me have one to believe in me! I pleaded,
human
I cannae bear it else. The whole world is clanned against me. How am I to go through with my dreadful fate? If there's to be none to believe in me I cannot do it. The man must just die, for I cannot do it.
gpt
What is this you say? she asked.
human
What are you talking of?
gpt
It is my testimony which may save an innocent life, said I,
human
Glenure! It is the Appin murder,