human
It's a miserable fix for Elaine, said Mrs. Dale, picking out a few false stitches she had made in giving her attention to him as he paced the floor in his agony of mind.
gpt
She cares for you, but will remain true to her oath; she will go on in this wretched way, Mr. Cobbe coming and going, boasting of his engagement, to keep rivals at bay, and that woman haunting the place until a tragedy ends the whole farce. Elaine will postpone and postpone her union with that man until she dies broken-hearted, poor thing. She has had no end of trouble in the past, and now this must all crop up. Nasty Cobbe; I _hate_ you,
human
So do I, he said, moodily;
gpt
Perhaps it would be better for you; easier, I mean, if you kept away from her.
human
Kept away! that's what she tells me. No; come I must. I am not fit to attend to business, to face the busy hive of men down town. I have not as yet rented an office, or put out my shingle as broker and estate agent, so the world which knows me not does not miss me. Did I not come, I should be tortured by the thought that Cobbe had persuaded her to marry him, and that with the false hope of making me forget her, and the woman to give up her game as lost, she would consent. No; I shall come in the seemingly aimless way; but not aimless, for I am her bodyguard. Already my being here, and holding my ground, has more than once prevented a _tête-à-tête_, and saved her from (I make no doubt) his hateful caresses. He hates me, and would revenge himself upon me if he could; and, insomuch as he can, he does do so--by using her Christian name, leaning familiarly over her shoulder as she reads or sews, following her even to the kitchen. Once he dared to kiss her good-bye, but I don't think he will try that again; for, on his looking at me maliciously, to note my jealousy, I gave him one look, at which he made a hasty exit.
gpt
So far so good, Mr. Blair; but you and myself are really doing nothing to free Elaine. We _must_ get a hold of the woman; she is not very well clad; is, I dare say, poor; I shall try if the dollar will grease the wheels of her tongue. Now, how shall we manage it? This evening I shall express a wish to telegraph Henry. You must offer to accompany me; this will allow of time to work on Mr. Cobbe's Mary Ann. We shall walk up and down on the other side of the street (thus putting ourselves in Grundy's mouth) until she appears, when, pouncing upon her, we will _make_ her tell her relations to Cobbe. You understand?
human
Yes, but he will be here alone with Elaine.
gpt
Just like a man: as jealous as a rooster in a barnyard. Miss Crew will be here, and chance callers.
human
Very well; it shall be as you say, though I mortally hate not being present when he is here; but here she comes, her cheeks like roses, and eyes bright from the frosty air,
gpt
Oh, you pair of fire-worshippers! she exclaimed, giving her hand to Mr. Blair.
human
I have had a glorious walk from Yonge, through Bloor west, and up here. We took the Yonge up-cars, when Miss O'Sullivan, who was one of us, carried off Miss Crew till to-morrow.
gpt
I suppose King Street wore its usual afternoon dress of dudes and sealskin sacques,
human
I suppose so; but we only went as far as Roche's. What a world of a place it is. Mrs. Francis says, 'One can buy everything but butcher's meat there,' and she is about right. The up-cars were, as usual, over-crowded; we were to blame for taking one, I suppose, as so many poor fatigued-looking men were obliged to stand. However, we were sorry for them in a practical way, for we only occupied one seat by turns; the company should run extra cars about six, or label them, 'For men only.'
gpt
On the other side, said Mrs. Dale,
human
Is that so? said Blair.
gpt
I wonder at that, for Mrs. Gower tells me there is a shrine to woman in every house.
human
Oh, never mind her, she is our champion, fights and wins our battles. I used to hope she would marry among us, and strut under our big bird; but alas, she sees more beauty in a common Scotch thistle,
gpt
I fear not; to the shamrock she plights her troth.