human
There is no Duchess yet, she whispered to a neighbour, through her thin lips,
gpt
Speak, I say, Desparre continued.
human
Something has happened. I can see it in your face. Quick.
gpt
She--she--is--gone. Escaped. Married, Vandecque stammered.
human
Married! And Desparre's face worked so that Vandecque turned his eyes away while he muttered.
gpt
Alas! Yes. This morning.
human
To whom? Tell me. Tell me. I--did--not--know--she had a lover.
gpt
Nor I. Yet it appears she had. She loved him all the time. That Englishman. Walter Clarges.
human
And I have called them here to see my triumph! and then glanced his eyes round his great salon. Then he muttered,
gpt
Married!
human
Tell me here, he whispered,
gpt
The woman found this in her room when she went to warn her the time was near. She had no maid; therefore, I had engaged one from the person who made the bridal dress. It was on her mirror. Look. Read.
human
I refuse to be sold to the man who would have bought me from you. Therefore I have sought a lesser evil. I am gone to be married to another man whom, even though I do not love him, I can respect. An hour hence I shall be the wife of Monsieur Clarges. He has loved me for a year; now, his love is so strong, or, I should better say, his nobility is so great, that he sacrifices himself to save me. God forgive me for accepting the sacrifice, but there was no other way than death.
gpt
You suspected nothing; knew nothing of this?
human
Nothing. I swear it. Do you think that, if I had dreamed of such a catastrophe, I would not have prevented it? It was to you I wished her married--to you.
gpt
Ay, Desparre answered,
human
Then he raised his half-hidden eyes to the other.
gpt
Where does this man live? he asked.
human
I do not know. Yet his address can be found. There are many to whom he is known. Why do you ask?
gpt
Why! and now there was another look in Desparre's face that Vandecque did not understand.
human
Why! I will tell you. Yet, stay; ere I do so send those people all away. Go. Tell them--damn them!--there is no marriage to-day, nor--for--me--on any other day. Get rid of them. Bid them pack. Then return,