human
The chambermaids' evidence is wrong, Oscar declared.
gpt
They are mistaken, Frank. It was not me they spoke about at the Savoy Hotel. It was ----. I was never bold enough. I went to see ---- in the morning in his room.
human
Thank God, I said,
gpt
He wanted to; but I would not let him. I told him he must not. I must be true to my friend. I could not let him.
human
But he must, I said,
gpt
But what good is it, Frank, what good is it? he cried.
human
Even if you convinced the chambermaid and she retracted; there would still be Shelley, and the Judge laid stress on Shelley's evidence as untainted.
gpt
Shelley is an accomplice, I cried,
human
I cried,
gpt
Oh, Frank, he said,
human
But you are innocent, I cried in amaze,
gpt
No, Frank, he said,
human
I thought you knew that all along.
gpt
No, I said dully,
human
I did not know. I did not believe the accusation. I did not believe it for a moment.
gpt
This will make a great difference to you, Frank?
human
No, I said, pulling myself together and taking his hand; and after a pause I went on:
gpt
No: curiously enough it has made no difference to me at all. I do not know why; I suppose I have got more sympathy than morality in me. It has surprised me, dumbfounded me. The thing has always seemed fantastic and incredible to me and now you make it exist for me; but it has no effect on my friendship; none upon my resolve to help you. But I see that the battle is going to be infinitely harder than I imagined. In fact, now I don't think we have a chance of winning a verdict. I came here hoping against fear that it could be won, though I always felt that it would be better in the present state of English feeling to go abroad and avoid the risk of a trial. Now there is no question: you would be insane, as Clarke said, to stay in England. But why on earth did Alfred Douglas, knowing the truth, ever wish you to attack Queensberry?
human
He's very bold and obstinate, Frank,
gpt
Well, now I must play Crito, I resumed, smiling,
human
Oh, Frank, that would be wonderful; but it's impossible, quite impossible. I should be arrested before I left London, and shamed again in public: they would boo at me and shout insults.... Oh, it is impossible; I could not risk it.
gpt
Nonsense, I replied,
human
I believe the authorities would be only too glad if you went. I think Clarke's challenge to Gill was curiously ill-advised. He should have let sleeping dogs lie. Combative Gill was certain to take up the gauntlet. If Clarke had lain low there might have been no second trial. But that can't be helped now. Don't believe that it's even difficult to get away; it's easy. I don't propose to go by Folkestone or Dover.
gpt
But, Frank, what about the people who have stood bail for me? I couldn't leave them to suffer; they would lose their thousands.