human
Pierre Lamont.
gpt
Who is this Pierre Lamont?
human
Once a famous lawyer, replied the Advocate;
gpt
No, said the beautiful woman who stood before him, his junior by five-and-twenty years;
human
Captivated by the name it bears.
gpt
Perhaps. The House of White Shadows! Could anything be more enticing? Why was it so called?
human
I cannot tell you. Until lately, indeed when this holiday was decided upon --he sighed as he uttered the word
gpt
; an indication that he was not accepting it in a glad spirit--
human
I was not aware that Almer owned a villa hereabouts. Do not forget, Adelaide, that he cautioned you against accepting an offer made in a rash moment.
gpt
What more was needed to set me longing for it? 'Here is a very beautiful book,' said Mr. Almer, 'full of wonderful pictures; it is yours, if you like--but, beware, you must not open it.' Think of saying that to a woman!
human
You are a true daughter of Eve. Almer's offer was unwise; his caution still more unwise.
gpt
The moment he warned me against the villa, I fell in love with it. I shall discover a romance there.
human
I, too, would warn you against it----
gpt
You are but whetting my curiosity,
human
Seriously, though. Master Lamont, in his letter, says that the house has not been inhabited for nearly a generation----
gpt
There must be ghosts there, she said, again interrupting him.
human
It will be delightful.
gpt
And Master Lamont's remark, continued the Advocate,
human
I have heard you say, Edward, that they are enacted within the walls of the commonest houses.
gpt
But this particular house has been for so long a time deserted! I am in ignorance of the stories attached to it; that they are in some sense unpleasant is proved by Almer's avoidance of the place. What occurs to me is that, were it entirely desirable, Almer would not have made it a point to shun it.
human
Christian Almer is different from other men; that is your own opinion of him.
gpt
True; he is a man dominated by sentiment; yet there appears to be something deeper than mere sentiment in his consistent avoidance of the singularly named House of White Shadows.
human
According to Master Lamont's letter he has been to some trouble to make it agreeable to us. Indeed, Edward, you cannot argue me out of having my own way.
gpt
If the house is gloomy, Adelaide----
human
I will brighten it. Can I not?
gpt
You can, for me, Adelaide, he replied;
human
You can dismiss your fears, Edward. I shall be happy there. All last night I was dreaming of white shadows. Did they sadden me? No. I woke up this morning in delightful spirits. Is that an answer to your forebodings?
gpt
When did you not contrive to have your own way? I have some banking business to do in Geneva, and I must leave you for an hour. She nodded and smiled at him. Before he reached the door he turned and said:
human
Are you still resolved to send your maid away? She knows your wants so well, and you are so accustomed to her, that her absence might put you to inconvenience. Had you not better keep her with you till you see whether you are likely to be suited at Almer's house?
gpt
Edward, she said gaily,
human
Child of impulse and fancy, he said, kissing her hand, and then her lips, in response to a pouting invitation,
gpt
Can you read a woman's thoughts?
human
I can judge by signs. What was your thought, Adelaide?
gpt
A foolish thought. To keep guard and watch over me, you said. The things are so different. The first is a proof of love, the second of suspicion.
human
A logician, too, he said with a pleased smile;