human
You lying devil,
gpt
What? what? what?
human
I will, be thou clean; I will, be thou clean.
gpt
God have mercy! murmured the man, trying to be a man. The creeping paralysis of the horror almost struck him dumb. But he managed by a violent effort to wet his lips with a stiff tongue, and made it form certain words:
human
Are you sure of this?
gpt
Three doctors, went on the Duchess, rocking and droning as Demetrius did aforetime--
human
She lunged forward without rising, and grabbing the Bible pitched it into the fire. Lionel snatched it from the flames; Leah struck it from his hands; and then ensued a silent struggle, uncanny, savage, in which some leaves were torn. All at once she relaxed her grip and lay back crying quietly.
gpt
It's a shame, a shame! she wept softly;
human
; her voice soared shrilly, and she crouched, as though being beaten.
gpt
Ugh! That kiss, that beastly kiss!
human
Leah, how did you get this disease?
gpt
I won't die--I won't. I refuse to give in--I refuse ; she tore up and down the room, speaking in angry undertones, as one always mindful of possible listeners.
human
I have always had my own way! was her whispered argument--
gpt
her voice rose tyrannically.
human
I am myself; who can be stronger than myself? And yet this thing --a strong shudder shook her into weakness--
gpt
Where is your Master? she whimpered.
human
Tell Him I'm sorry--really I am sorry. He may cure me then, as He cured that man long ago. Gentle Jesus--the children call Him so; He can't be cruel to me--to me. He can't be cruel to any one, so they say--ah, they say, they say; but how do I know? It's not true, it isn't true, and yet if it was--if it---- Lionel---- She broke off with the squall of a terrified child, hiding her eyes pitifully.
gpt
I'll be good--I'll be good, if only--only He will do this! It's a little thing--oh, a very little thing. And you said that He could--that He, your Master, I mean. Oh! oh! oh! With sobbing breath she unwound her arms and fell back beating the carpet with open palms. Murmurings went rhythmically with the padding sound.
human
I want to be clean; I want to be clean; I want to be clean.
gpt
Let me summon help.
human
Do that and I kill you, she panted, clenching her hands and facing him furiously.
gpt
No one knows but these doctors--yes, and Katinka, and that fiend Demetrius. Strange also. If I had Strange here -- she hammered with closed fists on the vicar's shoulders--
human
I would cut him into bits; I would blind him somehow; I would--I would--oh, what would I not do? Why couldn't he leave that infected beast to die in Siberia? Oh, the--the--the---- She poured forth a torrent of words, which made the listener grow hot and cold with shame. Then again she collapsed as the chill of a deadly fear struck at her heart.
gpt
I don't want to die--I don't want to die!
human
Leah, he said firmly, and advancing close to the writhing creature,
gpt
Jim doesn't know; Jim must never know.
human
Leah, something must be done.
gpt
Something must be done, said she, faintly--
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Sit down, please! said Leah, quietly, and Kaimes obeyed, since to summon assistance would only be to precipitate a still more dreadful scene. The Duchess looked into the mirror and arranged her hair; also she dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, and smoothed her wrist-cuffs. When she did speak it was in the smooth voice of a society hostess asking a visitor if he took sugar in his tea.
human
I have made a fool of myself, Lionel. But you must admit that I am rather severely tried just now.
gpt
Oh, you poor soul!
human
Reserve your sympathy till you hear what I have to say. But first tell me honestly, can Christ cure me?
gpt
Yes--if it is His Will.
human
Then let Him.
gpt
You must have Faith.
human
Faith in what?
gpt
In His power and Will to heal.
human
How can I believe, when I do not believe?
gpt
He died for you on the Cross.
human
He did not. That was purely a political matter because the Jews feared the Romans. I have read Strauss; I have read Renan; the four Gospels also: you can't puzzle me. He was a good man, a very good man--quite a saint, if you will. But--the Son of God?
gpt
Then you cannot be cured?
human
No ; she looked at him steadily, an awful smile curving the corners of her mouth.
gpt
I thought you would fail me at the last.
human
But how can I----?
gpt
You can't, so there's no more to be said. She sat down with a little sigh.
human
Dear me, how very hot this room is! Would you mind opening the window?
gpt
Leah, go to bed, and let me send for one of those doctors you consulted.
human
Useless! useless! She waved him aside calmly.
gpt
They have spoken. I know the worst; I am prepared to face the worst. Are you? Hold your tongue, she added peremptorily, as he opened his mouth.
human
Listen!