human
Well, I asked, stunned by the revelation,
gpt
Imagine my utter surprise, my dear old chap, to witness Tibbie--our own Tibbie--allowing the fellow to kiss her! And yet she did, without repelling him. She stood and heard him to the end. He told her that he loved her and that he intended to marry her, whatever the world might say. `You are mine, Miss Sybil--mine--mine!' he kept on repeating, while she stood, allowing him to take her in his arms, and kiss her passionately. Who the fellow is I don't know. I'm only certain that for some reason she's in deadly fear of him.
human
Why?
gpt
Because a lady would surely never allow herself to be caressed by such a rank outsider. Why, my dear old chap, he seemed to be a mere shabby wayfarer with down-at-heel boots, and an old dusty suit. At last, after a quarter of an hour, during which time I learned that he had loved her in secret for two years, she suddenly pushed him from her, and spoke quite seriously, saying, `All this is entirely useless, my dear Charles. I may as well tell you the truth at once, and end this folly for ever. I am engaged to Mr Winsloe!' In an instant the fellow's affection turned to an ungovernable fury. He raved and threatened, declaring that she was his, and no one else's, and that she should never marry Winsloe. At all this, however, Tibbie only laughed defiantly, apparently treating his words as mere empty threats, until of a sudden he took her roughly by the shoulders, and glaring into her face said, `Sybil! You will marry me, or I will tell the world the truth! You know what I mean. I'm not to be trifled with. Decide.' Then occurred a terrible scene between them. She openly accused him of attempting to blackmail her, while he, on his part, reiterated his love, declaring that while he lived she should never marry another. I would have gone forward to protect her, but how could I? By so doing I should only have acknowledged myself as a mean eavesdropper. Therefore, overhearing that which I had no desire to hear, I turned and crept back into the field as noiselessly as I came. Then, and he lowered his voice, and speaking slowly,
human
And at a little after half-past she was with me in the Long Gallery. Perhaps the fellow fired at her?
gpt
Or she at him? Eric said in a low, very hard tone.
human
Recollect this ruffian is a lover, and moreover is in possession of some secret which she fears may be revealed. I saw a revolver in her hand, Wilfrid, he added hoarsely.
gpt
She threatened him with it. And she shot him! What can we do to save her?