human
Have you heard the rumors with regard to the Lombard Deeps Gold Mine?
gpt
What rumors? Mrs. Ogilvie looked anxious.
human
I know nothing whatever about business, she said, testily,
gpt
I leave all that absolutely to my husband. I know that he considers the mine an excellent one, but his full report cannot yet have reached England.
human
Of course it has not. Ogilvie's report in full cannot come to hand for another six weeks. I allude now to a paragraph in one of the great financial papers, in which the mine is somewhat depreciated, the gold being said to be much less to the ton than was originally supposed, and the strata somewhat shallow, and terminating abruptly. Doubtless there is no truth in it.
gpt
Not a word, not a word, said Mrs. Ogilvie;
human
Lady Helen knows about all these sort of things, and yet I think she is quite feminine,
gpt
You will find cigars in that box, she said.
human
No, Sibyl, you are not to stay with Mr. Rochester; come to the drawing-room with me.
gpt
Oh, do let her stay, earnestly pleaded the young man,
human
Well, as you please, but don't spoil her,
gpt
I have a lot of things to ask you, she said;
human
I am not going to be like my ownest mother, I am going to be like Lady Helen. I want to understand about the gold mine. I want to understand why, if you give your money to a certain thing, you get back little bits of gold. Can you make the gold into sovereigns, is that what happens?
gpt
It is extremely difficult for me to explain, said Rochester,
human
What's subscribed?
gpt
Well, given. You know what it means when people ask your mother to subscribe to a charity?
human
Oh, yes, I know quite well; and Mr. and Mrs. Holman, they may subscribe, may they?
gpt
Yes, whoever they may be. I don't know Mr. and Mrs. Holman, but of course they may intend to subscribe, and other people will do the same, and if we give, say, a hundred pounds we shall get back perhaps one hundred and fifty, perhaps two hundred.
human
Oh, that's very nice, said Sibyl;
gpt
I seem to understand, and yet I don't understand.
human
You understand enough, my dear little girl, quite enough. Don't puzzle your poor little brain. Your mother is right, these are matters for men.
gpt
And you are quite certain that my father will say that the beautiful mine is full of gold?
human
He will say it if the gold is there.
gpt
And if it is not?
human
Then he will tell the truth.
gpt
Of course, said Sibyl, proudly.
human
My father couldn't tell a lie if he was even to try. It would be impossible, wouldn't it, Mr. Rochester?
gpt
I should say quite impossible,
human
You are awfully nice, you know, she said;
gpt
So they will,
human
And darlingest mother can have the beautiful place. Hasn't the new place got a lovely name--Silverbel?
gpt
It sounds very pretty, Sibyl.
human
And you will come to-morrow and see it, won't you?
gpt
Yes.
human
And you will bring Lady Helen?
gpt
Your mother will bring Lady Helen.
human
It's all the same, replied Sibyl.
gpt
Oh, I am so glad.