human
I have nothing to say to you. I only wished to make sure that you had not done anything foolish.
gpt
It is not too late,
human
Overboard I go, said Evan,
gpt
I shall not be fooled a second time,
human
You were not fooled the first time,
gpt
What are you doing?
human
Can't swim with my shoes on,
gpt
Do you think me so simple!
human
I don't think at all, said Evan with his hand on the rail.
gpt
I give you your choice. Will you stop and talk to me like a reasonable being for five minutes.
human
No!
gpt
Evan! Evan!
human
Ah, don't kiss me!
gpt
Ah, you nearly let me go!
human
I would have gone too!
gpt
Then we'd both have drowned. I couldn't carry you all that way.
human
I wouldn't have cared.
gpt
I'd rather live with you, you beautiful thing! Why do you want to kill us both?
human
I can't help myself. This is only torment.
gpt
But why? why? I'm of age. I have a right to know, to judge for myself. What comes between us?
human
I cannot tell you.
gpt
And do you expect me to let you go on your mere say-so? No, by God! Not while I live!
human
You must let me go!
gpt
Is it a sin for you to love me?
human
It is impossible.
gpt
That's not answering my question. Have you a husband?
human
Certainly not!
gpt
Is there any other man who has a better claim on you than I have?
human
Well, then! he cried in great relief.
gpt
What's the matter? There's no other reason that I would recognise.
human
Have mercy on me, she murmured.
gpt
Let me go. Help me to be strong!
human
In other words help you not to love me, he said tenderly.
gpt
Not on your life! I will never let you go without a good reason.
human
I will tell you everything as soon as I can.
gpt
What does that mean, 'soon as you can'?
human
In a few days, a week maybe.
gpt
Why not now?
human
Something must happen first.
gpt
Corinna, don't you understand how this mystery tortures one who loves!
human
I know. I cannot help myself.
gpt
But you promise to tell me?
human
Yes, if you will let me entirely alone until I do tell you.
gpt
I'll do my best, he groaned.
human
One can't promise miracles.
gpt
And you must not let yourself love me, until you know.
human
Oh, that's clearly impossible. I would have to love you just the same if you had two or three husbands and were the wickedest woman in the world beside.
gpt
I'm not a wicked woman!
human
Why, I didn't suppose you were, he said surprised.
gpt
But it wouldn't make any difference.
human
Let me go now, she begged.
gpt
This only makes it harder.
human
Tell me you love me, and I'll let you go. You owe me that after having had me assaulted on the last trip.
gpt
I didn't know what they were going to do.
human
Well, tell me you love me, anyhow.
gpt
I do not love you.
human
You do! It's in your eyes, your lips, I know you do!
gpt
If I told you it would be impossible to manage you!
human
Darling stubborn child! Then kiss me of your own free will and I'll let you go.
gpt
No! No! No!
human
Then I must kiss you.