human
Why, Brown, what did you do that you had to come West?
gpt
Nothing, said the student, flushing a little--
human
I thought, said the major, quickly, with a desperate but sickly attempt at pleasantry,
gpt
I don't make love to women who love other men,
human
Don't, please, Brown, said the major, turning manly in a moment.
gpt
I feel worse about her than about all my creditors or those infernal bonds. I got into the snarl before I knew her; that's the only way I can quiet my conscience. Of course the--matter is all up now. I wrote her as good an apology as I could, and a release; she'd have taken the latter without my giving it, but--
human
No she wouldn't,
gpt
How do you know? demanded the major, with a suspicious glance, which did not escape Brown.
human
Did you torment her by proposing again upon the top of her other troubles?
gpt
No, said Brown;
human
I wish to Satan that I hadn't met _you_, then, said the major.
gpt
I've taken solid comfort in the thought that most likely she was again the adored of all adorers, and was forgetting me, as she has so good a right to do.
human
Major, said Brown, bringing his hand down on the major's shoulder in a manner suggestive of a deputy sheriff,
gpt
And fail, suggested the major.
human
Thank you; and allow me to say you're a devilish queer fellow for suggesting it. Is it part of your religion to forgive a successful rival?
gpt
It's part of my religion, when I love, to love the woman more than I love myself, said Brown, with a face in which pain and earnestness strove for the mastery.
human
She loves you. I loved her, and want to see her happy.
gpt
Brown, said he,
human
I can,
gpt
How?
human
I'll lend the money.
gpt
You heavenly lunatic! said he.
human
I always _did_ think religion made fools of men when they got too much of it. Then I could go back on the Street again; the boys would be glad to see me clear myself--not meeting my engagements wouldn't be remembered against me. But, say--borrow money from an old rival to make myself right with the girl _he_ loved! No, excuse me. I've got _some_ sense of honor left!
gpt
You mean you love yourself more than you do her, suggested Brown.
human
I'll telegraph about the money, and you write her in the meantime. Don't ruin her happiness for life by delay or trifling.
gpt
Brown, said he,
human
I'll take your offer; and, whatever comes of it, you'll have one friend you can swear to as long as I live. You haven't the money with you?
gpt
No, said Brown;
human
You're a trump; but--don't think hard of me--money's never certain till you have it in hand. I'll write and send my letter East by you; when the matter's absolutely settled, you can telegraph _me_, and mail her my letter. I'd expect to be shot if I made such a proposal to any other rival, but you're not a man--you're a saint. Confound you, all the sermons I ever heard hadn't as much real goodness in them as I've heard the last ten minutes! But 'twould be awful for me to write and then have the thing slip up!