human
And this is all, Germaine? he said, sorrowfully.
gpt
Can I do nothing at all for you?
human
Nothing. What do you think I want? Is not the government, in its fatherly care, going to clothe, feed, and provide for me during the remainder of my mortal life? Why, man, do you think me unreasonable?
gpt
Germaine, Heaven knows, if I could do anything for you, I would! said Lord Villiers, excitedly.
human
My father, like all the rest of the world, believes you guilty, and I can do nothing. But if it will be any consolation, remember that you leave one in England who still believes you innocent.
gpt
Thank you, Villiers. There is another, too, who, I think, will hardly believe I have taken to petty pilfering, your father and the rest of the magnates of the land to the contrary, notwithstanding.
human
Who is that, Germaine?
gpt
My mother.
human
Where is she? Can I bring her to you?
gpt
You are very kind; but it is not in your power to do so, said the prisoner, quietly.
human
My mother is probably in Yetholm with her tribe. You don't need to be told now I am a gipsy; my interesting family history was pretty generally made known at my trial.
gpt
My dear fellow, I think none the worse of you for that. Gipsy or Saxon, I cannot forget you once saved my life, and that you have for years been my best friend.
human
Well, it is pleasant to know that there is one in the world who cares for me; and if I do die like a dog among my fellow-convicts, my last hour will be cheered by the thought, said the young man, drawing a deep breath.
gpt
If ever you see my mother, which is not likely, tell her I was grateful for all she did for me; you need not tell her I was innocent, for she will know that. There is another, too--
human
My dear Germaine, if there is any message I can carry for you, you have only to command me,
gpt
No; it is as well she should not know it--better, perhaps, muttered the prisoner, half to himself.
human
I thank you for your friendly kindness, Villiers; but it will not be necessary.
gpt
And your mother, Germaine, how am I to know her?
human
Oh, I forgot! Well, she's called the gipsy Ketura, and is queen of her tribe. It is something to be a queen's son is it not?
gpt
Ketura, did you say?
human
Yes. What has surprised you now?
gpt
Why, the simple fact that I saw her three hours ago.
human
Saw her! Where?
gpt
At my father's house. She came to see him.
human
Came to see Lord De Courcy? My mother came to see him? Villiers, you do not mean to say that my mother came to beg for my life?
gpt
My dear fellow, I really do not know. The interview was a private one. All I do know is, that half an hour after my father returned among his guests, looking very much as if he had just seen a ghost. In fact, I never saw him with so startled a look in all my life before. Whether your mother had anything to do with it or not, I really cannot say.
human
If I thought she could stoop to sue for me, exclaimed the youth, through his clenched teeth;
gpt
Very haggard, very thin, very worn and wild; very wretched, in a word--though that was to be expected.
human
Poor mother!
gpt
My dear fellow, said Lord Villiers, with tears in his own eyes,
human
If you like, I will try to discover her, and send her to you before you--
gpt
My dear Villiers, you have indeed proven yourself my friend, said the convict, gratefully.
human
If you could see her, and send her to me before I leave England to-morrow, you would be conferring the greatest possible favor on me. There are several things of which I wish to speak to her, and which I cannot reveal to any one else--not even to you.
gpt
Then I will instantly go in search of her, said Lord Villiers, rising and taking his hat.
human
My dear Germaine, good by.
gpt
Farewell, Ernest. God bless you!