human
Moreover, in this case any testamentary document would have been entirely superfluous. My wife knew well that should she die I should care for her daughter as for my own.
gpt
H'm! the Doctor ejaculated.
human
And did Frau von Strachinsky never speak to you of her Berlin relatives, Countess?
gpt
No, Erika replied, thoughtfully.
human
She was very restless for some weeks before her death, and often told me that as soon as we were quite sure of being uninterrupted she had an important communication to make to me. But she never did so: death closed her lips.
gpt
I am rather surprised, Herr von Strachinsky, that you did not advise old Countess Lenzdorff of your wife's death.
human
Permit me to ask you, Herr Doctor, he said, with lofty emphasis,
gpt
But the announcement of her death would have seriously influenced your step-daughter's destiny,
human
My wife considered me the guardian of her child, Strachinsky declared, with pathos.
gpt
Another man might have refused to accept a burden entailing upon him sacrifice of every kind. But I am not like other men. My wife evidently supposed that her child would be best cared for under my protection; and I was not the man to betray her confidence. You look surprised, Doctor. Yes, no doubt you think it strange for a man nowadays to vindicate his chivalry and disinterestedness, to his own ruin. But such a man am I,--a Marquis Posa, a Don Quixote, an Egmont----
human
Pardon me, Herr Baron, I shall be late for the train,