human
Oh, brother! I am very sure that he loves me; he tells me so all day long. Why should he have brought me to Paris, if he doesn't love me?
gpt
Oh! he loves you enough to make you his mistress--but his wife! remember that we are only poor folk, that I am only a messenger--while he is a young man of high social position; he is rich; he wouldn't have me for a brother-in-law; why, you see, even you yourself, who have had a fine education and learned society manners, didn't dare to tell him that your brother was a messenger.
human
Oh! forgive me, brother!
gpt
No, no! she repeated;
human
Well! this is no time to cry like two children; that won't help us. I must act; I must decide what to do. But I have made up my mind.
gpt
What are you going to do, brother?
human
I am going straight to Monsieur Albert's father, because, you see, that's all there is to do. The son might say: 'I ain't my own master, I don't dare, I must wait.'--But that ain't the kind of answer I want. With the father we shall know what to expect, at all events. Besides, they say that Monsieur Vermoncey's an honorable man; in that case, he will understand my grief and be touched by your position; he won't be willing that honest poor folk should be dishonored by his son; he won't despise us because we haven't got any money, and because I'm only a messenger. I'll say to him: 'Monsieur, we didn't go after your son, to try to catch him; it was him that wanted my sister, and he ran off with her and promised to marry her; and if he don't marry her, _jarni!_ it will be bad for him, for I ain't the man to put up with such an insult.' But Monsieur Vermoncey will understand me, and he loves his son; he's a fine man, and he will consent--yes, I feel hopeful now, for it seems to me that I have words in my heart that can't fail to move him. Come, Liline, don't cry any more; cheer up; you shall marry Monsieur Albert.
gpt
Oh! yes, brother, yes! I'm very happy that you agree with me now.
human
You must stay here, Liline, and wait for me; you won't leave this house?
gpt
No, brother.
human
When is Monsieur Albert to return?
gpt
This evening.
human
Then I shall be back before him, and I hope to bring you good news. If I don't--if my prayers are rejected--then I'll take you away with me, sister; I won't leave you with your seducer another minute. I will work for both of us. I shan't go to the wine shop any more, that's all over; and I'll steer clear of Jean Ficelle. I will try to save up a tidy little sum before long, and then I'll take you back to father, and we won't leave him again. You'll go with me, won't you, Liline?
gpt
Yes, brother. But Albert will marry me, his father will consent--you said so yourself just now.
human
At all events, we must hope so. Come, kiss me, sister, and pray heaven that my attempt may not be thrown away!