human
Mademoiselle is, if I may say it, a little difficult. She appears to reject all honest admiration offered to her. To--to desire to remain untouched by the love of any man?
gpt
The love of any man! Does Monsieur Clarges regard the love of the Duc Desparre as worth having? Does he regard the Duc Desparre as a man? As one whose wife any woman should desire to become?
human
There have been others.
gpt
Yes, she answered.
human
There have been others.
gpt
And they were equally unfortunate. There was one----
human
There was one, she replied, interrupting, and with her glance firmly fixed him,
gpt
Your answer was that you did not love him; that, therefore, you could be no wife of his. Now, Mademoiselle, recall yourself--it is your turn--what he then said. It was this, I think. That he so loved you that, without receiving back any love from you in return, he begged you to grant his prayer; to believe that he would win that love at last if you would but give yourself to him; while, if you desired it, he would so show the reverence he held you in--that, once you were his wife, he would demand nothing more from you. Nothing but that he might be by your side; be but as a brother, a champion, a sentinel to watch and guard over you, although a husband in truth. That was what he said. That was all he desired. Mademoiselle, will the Duc Desparre be as loyal a husband as this, do you think?
human
The Duc Desparre will never be husband of mine.
gpt
But how to avoid it now? he asked.
human
The time draws near--is at hand. How escape?
gpt
Is there not one way?
human
No no no! he replied, his calmness deserting him now.
gpt
No! no! Not that! Not that!
human
How else? There is no other.