human
It is very silly of me, but I have been thinking so much about it; and somehow I fancied from your manner that things were not going straight, and I was foolishly anxious.
gpt
You shouldn't care so much about me, said the young man with real remorse;
human
It is nothing at all, Jack; I am quite well again, and your news is the best thing for me, if I really wanted anything. Is it all settled?
gpt
Yes, he said with a little restraint again, and pulling a magnolia leaf as he spoke.
human
Phillis is at Bologna with the Leytons, we all came out together. Yes, it is true; I expected it to astonish you.
gpt
Don't tell me anything more for a minute or two, said his aunt gently, putting up her hands;
human
But you like the news, don't you?
gpt
Like it! how could I fail? Such a good girl, and all that money, and your uncle wishing it so much. Nothing could be so desirable, only, my dear boy--
human
What?
gpt
Sometimes you get odd touches of perversity, and the very fact of a thing being quite unexceptional sets you against it. I remember it so well when you were a boy. It would have been a sad misfortune in this case, though, of course, it is too momentous a matter for me to have said much about it beforehand. I suppose that is the reason you did not know how anxious I felt, but I assure you I have scarcely thought of anything else. And Phillis is at Bologna! When do they come on?
human
To-morrow--Saturday. I don't exactly remember. I suppose you know the terms of the agreement?
gpt
My dear!
human
Well, it is an agreement, he said perversely;
gpt
My dear, she said slowly,
human
Well, then, don't be miserable, he said lightly;
gpt
I sometimes fancy it would be better if money were not mixed up with marriages at all. I don't think it was so much thought about in old days.
human
It is a stronger necessity now.
gpt
Your father would willingly increase your allowance.
human
I don't choose to live on that woman's fortune. Aunt Mary, I thought you would be the first to congratulate me on the splendour of my prospects!
gpt
My dear, and so I do, she said quickly, laying her hand on his shoulder;
human
I do, with all my heart. If I ask these questions it is only that I care so very, very much, that I was afraid, Jack, whether you might have rushed into this without quite thinking enough beforehand. But I dare say that was only my foolish fancy. Tell me one thing: if you had not married Phillis would your uncle have left the estates to her?
gpt
Not he, said the young man, flinging a stone into the bushes where Cartouche was still annoying the cat.
human
He told me in so many words, that unless I married her she would be penniless, and the money would go to some tenth cousin or so.
gpt
I hope the poor girl did not know this,
human
He is not the man to keep that sort of pressure to himself.
gpt
Jack, you liked her before there was any talk of these estates?
human
Of course I did.