human
It would not do for me to be seen, she whispered.
gpt
Do not be alarmed; I shall not be here longer than one little minute. I have only come to wish you good-night. Give me a chair, or I shall sink to the ground. I am really very, very frightened. Quick; bring me a chair. Do you not see how weak I am?
human
As you would not come to me, she said,
gpt
I was compelled to come to you.
human
Compelled!
gpt
Yes, compelled. I was urged by a spirit.
human
A spirit!
gpt
How you echo me, Christian. Yes, by a spirit, to which you yourself shall give a name. Shall we call it a spirit of restlessness, or jealousy, or love?
human
Adelaide, he said,
gpt
Nonsense, Christian, nonsense, she said lightly;
human
I had but just read it when you tapped at my door.
gpt
I forgive you. Where have you been? With the Advocate?
human
No; I have been walking in the grounds.
gpt
You saw nothing, Christian?
human
Nothing to alarm or disturb me.
gpt
There was a light in the Advocate's study, was there not?
human
Yes.
gpt
He will remain up late, and then he will retire to his room. My life is a very bright and beautiful life with him. He is so tender in his ways--so fond of pleasure--pays me so much attention, and _such_ compliments--is so light--hearted and joyous--sings to me, dances with me! Oh, you don't know him, you don't indeed. I remember asking him to join in a cotillon; you should have seen the look he gave me! She laughed out loud, and clapped her hand on her mouth to stifle the sound.
human
I wonder whether he was ever young, like you and me. What a wonderful child he must have been--with scientific toys, and books always under his arm--yes, a wonderful child, holding in disdain little girls who wished him to join in their innocent games. What is your real opinion of him, Christian?
gpt
It pains me to hear you speak of him in that way.
human
It should please you; but men are never satisfied. I speak lightly, do I not, but there are moments when I shudder at my fate. Confess, it is not a happy one.
gpt
It is not, he replied, after a pause,
human
There would have been no joy in my life, she said,
gpt
Because there is a great deal of natural wisdom in what you are saying----
human
Natural wisdom! There now, does it not prove I am right? Thank you, Christian. It comes to you to say exactly the right thing exactly at the right time. I shall begin to feel proud.
gpt
And, continued Almer,
human
You have undone it all with your 'ifs.' What does it matter if it is in the middle of the day or the middle of the night? What is right, is right, is it not, without thinking of the time? Don't get disagreeable; but indeed I will not allow you to be anything but nice to me. You have made me forget everything I was going to say.
gpt
Except one thing, he said gravely,
human
The minute is not gone yet,
gpt
Many minutes, many minutes, he said helplessly,
human
I will protect you, she said with supreme assurance.
gpt
Do not fear. I see quite plainly that if there is a dragon to kill I shall have to be the St. George. Well, I am ready. Danger is sweet when you are with me.
human
Who brought your letter to my room? he asked.
gpt
Dionetta.
human
Have you confided in her?
gpt
She knows nothing, and she is devoted to me. If the simple maid thought of the letter at all--as to what was in it, I mean--she thought, of course, that it was something I wanted you to do for me to-morrow, and had forgotten to tell you. But even here I was prudent, although you do not give me credit for prudence. I made her promise not to tell a soul, not even her grandmother, that queer, good old Mother Denise, that she had taken a letter from me to you. She did more than promise--she swore she would not tell. I bribed her, Christian--I gave her things, and to-night I gave her a pair of earrings. You should have witnessed her delight! I would wager that she is at this moment no more asleep than I am. She is looking at herself in the glass, shaking her pretty little head to make the diamonds glisten.
human
Diamonds, Adelaide! A simple maid like Dionetta with diamond earrings! What will the folks say?
gpt
Oh, they all know I am fond of her----
human
Footsteps!
gpt
The Advocate's,
human
He will see a light in the room, said Christian.
gpt
He has come to talk with me. What shall we do?
human
I am St. George, she whispered;