human
I came here to-day because I knew Godfrey wouldn't be here. Please don't tell him I came. He won't be back yet, will he?
gpt
Not for an hour later than this, as a rule.
human
I left him in Woburn Square, you know.
gpt
And made my way here.
human
From what you say, I don't suppose you've come just to call on me, Miss Ledstone?
gpt
No. She paused, then with a sort of effort brought out,
human
But I have been wanting to know you. Well, I'd heard about you, and--but it's not that.
gpt
Please don't be agitated or--distressed. And there's no hurry.
human
I wonder if you know anything of what daddy--my father--and mother are doing--of what's going on at home--in Woburn Square?
gpt
I suppose I can make a guess at it. She smiled.
human
First the letters, then the visits! Didn't you write any of the letters?
gpt
Yes--some. She stirred restlessly.
human
Why shouldn't I?
gpt
I haven't blamed you. No doubt it's natural you should. But then--why come here, Miss Ledstone?
human
How pretty you are! Her eyes were fixed intently on Winnie's face.
gpt
Oh, it's not fair, not fair! It's not fair to--to anybody, I think. Do you know, your name's never mentioned at home--never--not even when we're alone?
human
That part of it is done in the letters, I suppose? What am I called? The entanglement, or the lamentable state of affairs--or what? I don't know, you see. If you don't talk about me, we don't talk much about you here either.
gpt
Oh, well, it is--bad. But that's not what I meant--not all I meant, at least. She suddenly leant forward in her chair.
human
Does Godfrey ever talk of the people he meets besides ourselves?
gpt
No, never. I shouldn't know anything about them, should I?
human
Has he ever mentioned Mabel Thurseley?
gpt
Mabel Thurseley? No. Who is she?
human
They live near us--in Torrington Square. Her mother's a widow, an old friend of ours.
gpt
No, Godfrey has never said anything about Miss Thurseley.
human
She's rather pretty--not very, I think. They're comfortably off. I mean, as we think it. Not what you'd call rich, I suppose.
gpt
My idea of riches nowadays isn't extravagant. But please tell me why you're talking to me about Miss Thurseley. Did you come here to do that?
human
Yes, I did. You're never mentioned to her either. That's it.
gpt
Oh, that's it! I see.
human
So I had to come. Because how is it right? How is it decent, Mrs. Maxon?
gpt
Wouldn't your ideas be considered rather eccentric?
human
Oh, I feel--I don't have ideas,
gpt
In your home I'm considered the thing that exists, but isn't talked about--that's done and got over.
human
Yes, she said, more than half assenting to Winnie's description of herself, yet with a doubt whether
gpt
were wholly the word, whether, if
human
What about her then?
gpt
What about----?
human
Why, Mabel--Mabel Thurseley.
gpt
Oh yes! Well, I suppose she--she knows what everybody knows--she knows what often happens.
human
Oh, but while it's absolutely going on here! They might have waited a little at all events.
gpt
You mean that--it's happening?
human
Try and see if you can get him to utter Mabel's name to you!