human
Shall I tell my uncle you are here?
gpt
No; I can say to you all I had to say to him. You will be my messenger?
human
Yes, Robert.
gpt
Then you may just inform him that I have got a clue to the identity of one, at least, of the men who broke my frames; that he belongs to the same gang who attacked Sykes and Pearson's dressing-shop, and that I hope to have him in custody to-morrow. You can remember that?
human
Oh yes! These two monosyllables were uttered in a sadder tone than ever; and as she said them she shook her head slightly and sighed.
gpt
Will you prosecute him?
human
Doubtless.
gpt
No, Robert.
human
And why no, Caroline?
gpt
Because it will set all the neighbourhood against you more than ever.
human
That is no reason why I should not do my duty, and defend my property. This fellow is a great scoundrel, and ought to be incapacitated from perpetrating further mischief.
gpt
But his accomplices will take revenge on you. You do not know how the people of this country bear malice. It is the boast of some of them that they can keep a stone in their pocket seven years, turn it at the end of that time, keep it seven years longer, and hurl it and hit their mark 'at last.'
human
A most pithy vaunt, said he--
gpt
How can I help it? You are my cousin. If anything happened----
human
Nothing will happen, Lina. To speak in your own language, there is a Providence above all--is there not?
gpt
Yes, dear Robert. May He guard you!
human
And if prayers have efficacy, yours will benefit me. You pray for me sometimes?
gpt
Not _sometimes_, Robert. You, and Louis, and Hortense are _always_ remembered.
human
So I have often imagined. It has occurred to me when, weary and vexed, I have myself gone to bed like a heathen, that another had asked forgiveness for my day, and safety for my night. I don't suppose such vicarial piety will avail much, but the petitions come out of a sincere breast, from innocent lips. They should be acceptable as Abel's offering; and doubtless would be, if the object deserved them.
gpt
Annihilate that doubt. It is groundless.
human
When a man has been brought up only to make money, and lives to make it, and for nothing else, and scarcely breathes any other air than that of mills and markets, it seems odd to utter his name in a prayer, or to mix his idea with anything divine; and very strange it seems that a good, pure heart should take him in and harbour him, as if he had any claim to that sort of nest. If I could guide that benignant heart, I believe I should counsel it to exclude one who does not profess to have any higher aim in life than that of patching up his broken fortune, and wiping clean from his _bourgeois_ scutcheon the foul stain of bankruptcy.
gpt
Indeed, I only think--or I _will only_ think--of you as my cousin, was the quick answer.
human
I am beginning to understand things better than I did, Robert, when you first came to England--better than I did a week, a day ago. I know it is your duty to try to get on, and that it won't do for you to be romantic; but in future you must not misunderstand me if I seem friendly. You misunderstood me this morning, did you not?
gpt
What made you think so?
human
Your look--your manner.
gpt
But look at me now----
human
Oh! you are different now. At present I dare speak to you.
gpt
Yet I am the same, except that I have left the tradesman behind me in the Hollow. Your kinsman alone stands before you.
human
My cousin Robert--not Mr. Moore.
gpt
Not a bit of Mr. Moore. Caroline----