human
Cousin Carrie, I'm bound to marry that girl!
gpt
But she rejected you last winter, Teddy.
human
I know; but everything is different now. She was a belle and heiress then; now she is poor, and friendless but for us. When she learns that I love her in spite of her changed position, and that I want to marry her as soon as she will have me, she will be touched by the romance of the affair, and--now don't laugh so, Cousin Carrie--it _is_ romantic, is it not, my devotion?
gpt
Certainly, she agreed, merrily; then added:
human
But I'm afraid you will find it hard to convince her of your devotion; for she told me when I spoke of it just now that you had proposed to Helen Fox the very week after she rejected you.
gpt
Oh, that was all fun, and I think it was very shabby in Helen telling all the other girls about it. Of course, I only wanted the engagement for a few weeks, then to pique her and get discarded, as I've done with other, girls,
human
But I'm in earnest, Carrie, with Kathleen Carew. Positively, she is the only girl I ever loved in my life--that is, real, sure enough love--and it will break my heart if I don't get her for my wife.
gpt
You didn't break your heart when you believed that she was dead,
human
Oh, that's different! he replied, vaguely.
gpt
I've set my heart on getting her now, and I could never get over it, if I failed. Look here, Cousin Carrie, leaning toward her, his bright, dark eyes full of tender pleading,
human
wheedlingly.
gpt
I would make a nice young girl a good husband, wouldn't I, now?
human
Yes, Teddy, I believe you would.
gpt
Then help me, won't you? It's not selfish in me, is it, to want to marry this poor girl who has been so strangely despoiled of home and fortune, and make up to her for all her cruel loss?
human
No, Teddy, it's not selfish, for you _are_ a good match, and I'll help you with sweet Kathleen, if I can. I used to be called a good match-maker in other days when I went more into society, and I'll exert my powers now for your benefit.
gpt
Thank you over and over!