human
I asked you to come, she said, simply,
gpt
That's a very good reason, he responded, guardedly.
human
I'm glad you thought of me, rather than of any one else.
gpt
I mustn't let her know I'm in love with her.
human
There's no one else for me to think of, she explained, in self-excuse.
gpt
If there were, I shouldn't bother you.
human
That's not so kind,
gpt
I don't mean that I haven't plenty of friends. I know lots of people--naturally; but I don't know them in a way to appeal to them like this.
human
Then so much the better for me.
gpt
That's not a reason for my imposing on your kindness; and yet I'm afraid I must go on doing it. I feel like a person in such desperate straits for ready money that he's reckless of the rate of interest. Not that it's a question of money now--exactly.
human
It doesn't matter what it's a case of. I'm at your service, Miss Guion--
gpt
I know. That's why I asked you to come. I want you to keep Colonel Ashley from doing what he proposed this afternoon.
human
I would if I could; but I don't know that I've any way of dissuading him.
gpt
You needn't dissuade him. You've simply to refuse to take his money.
human
It's not quite so easy as that, because there's no direct business between him and me. If Mr. Guion wanted to pay me what I've lent him, I couldn't decline to accept it. Do you see?
gpt
Oh, so that's the way it is? It would have to be done through papa?
human
It would have to be done through him. And if he preferred to use Colonel Ashley's money rather than mine, I should have nothing at all to say.
gpt
I see; I see, she commented, thoughtfully.
human
And I don't know how papa would feel about it, or how far I could count on him.
gpt
I thought you didn't want my help, if you could possibly get any other?
human
I felt that way at first. I don't now. Perhaps I understand you a little better. But, in any case, I couldn't take his.
gpt
But if you're going to marry him--
human
That's just it. I wonder if you've the faintest idea of what it means to a woman to marry a man by making herself a burden to him in advance--and such a burden!
gpt
It wouldn't be a burden to any one who--who--
human
I know what you're going to say. Love does make a difference. Of course. But it acts one way on the man and another way on the woman. In proportion as it urges him to make the sacrifice, it impels her to prevent it.
gpt
Then why don't you break off your engagement?
human
He won't let me, she said then.
gpt
And, besides, she added, after slight hesitation,
human
Is that your only reason?
gpt
What makes you ask that?
human
Oh, nothing. I only--wondered.
gpt
If you think I don't care for him--
human
Oh no. Not that--not that at all.
gpt
Well, if you _were_ to think it, it would probably be because I've been through so much--I'm _going_ through so much--that that sort of thing has become secondary.
human
I didn't know that--that sort of thing--was ever secondary.
gpt
Because you've never had the experience. If you had--
human
I've had experience enough--as you may know--to be sure it wouldn't be secondary with me.
gpt
When I say secondary I mean that I'm in a position in which I find it isn't the most important thing in the world to me to marry the man I--I care for.
human
Then, what _is_ the most important thing?
gpt
Oh, it's no use going into that; I suppose it would be--to be free--not to owe you anything--or anybody anything--to be out of this big, useless house--away from these unpaid servants--and--and free! I'm not a dependent person. I dare say you've noticed that. I shouldn't mind having no money. I know a way by which I could support myself--and papa. I've thought that out. I shouldn't mind being alone in the world, either--if I could only burst the coil that's been wound about me.
human
But since you can't, he said, rather cruelly,
gpt
I wish I hadn't fallen out with Aunt Vic.
human
Why? Would she help you?
gpt
She's very good and kind--in her way.
human
Why don't you write to her?
gpt
Writing wouldn't be any good now. It's too late.