human
Maude! Maude! why have you tried to avoid me all the evening? I must see you! I must speak to you in private! I must hear my destiny from your lips tonight!
gpt
Come with me into the music-room--it is deserted now, he said, drawing her arm through his.
human
There, apart from all those prying eyes, I can learn my fate.
gpt
And now, Maude--my own love--may I claim an answer to the question I asked you last night?
human
I answered you then, my lord,
gpt
Yes; you told me to go--to forget you; as if such a thing were possible. Maude, I cannot, I will take that for an answer. Tell me, do you love me?
human
Oh, Ernest--oh, my dear lord! you _know_ I do!
gpt
Then, Maude--my beautiful one--will you not be mine--my wife?
human
Oh, I cannot! I cannot! Oh, Ernest, I cannot!
gpt
My lord, that is my secret. I can never, _never_ be your wife. Choose some one worthier of you, and forget Maude Percy.