human
Now I should like to know, she said, looking at him with a quiet smile,
gpt
I plead guilty, Miss Pellissier, he answered at once.
human
I saw you go into that place, and I have been waiting for you ever since.
gpt
I am not sure whether I feel inclined to scold or thank you, she declared.
human
I think as I feel in a good humour it must be the latter.
gpt
Miss Pellissier, he said,
human
I am going to take a liberty.
gpt
You alarm me,
human
Don't think that I have been playing the spy upon you, he continued.
gpt
Neither Sydney nor I would think of such a thing. But we can't help noticing. You have been going out every morning, and coming home late--tired out--too tired to come down to dinner. Forgive me, but you have been looking, have you not, for some employment?
human
Quite true! she answered.
gpt
I have found out at last what a useless person I am--from a utilitarian point of view. It has been very humiliating.
human
And that, I suppose, he said, waving his stick towards Mr. Earles' office,
gpt
It certainly was, she admitted.
human
I changed my last shilling yesterday.
gpt
Do you think that it is kind of you, Miss Pellissier, he said, almost roughly,
human
Why not?
gpt
The very question shows your ignorance, he declared.
human
You know nothing about the stage. You haven't an idea what the sort of employment you could get there would be like, the sort of people you would be mixed up with. It is positively hateful to think of it.
gpt
Mr. Brendon, she said,
human
Such independence, he answered quickly,
gpt
You do not flatter me,
human
I am too much in earnest, he answered,
gpt
I am rebuked, she declared.
human
I suppose my levity is incorrigible. But seriously, things are not so bad as you think.
gpt
They never seem so at first!
human
You do not quite understand, she said gently.
gpt
I will tell you the truth. It is true that I have accepted an engagement from Mr. Earles, but it is a good one. I am not going to be a chorus girl, or even a super. I have never told you so, or Sydney, but I can sing--rather well. When my father died, and we were left alone in Jersey, I was quite a long time deciding whether I would go in for singing professionally or try painting. I made a wrong choice, it seems--but my voice remains.
human
You are really going on the stage, then?
gpt
In a sense--yes.
human
Miss Pellissier, he said,
gpt
Why not? she asked, smiling.
human
I must live, you know.
gpt
I haven't told any one the amount, he went on.
human
It sounds too ridiculous. But I have two hundred thousand pounds. Will you marry me?
gpt
My dear boy, she exclaimed.
human
How ridiculous! Fancy you with all that money! For heaven's sake, though, do not go about playing the Don Quixote like this. It doesn't matter with me, but there are at least a dozen young women in Mr. Earles' waiting-room who would march you straight off to a registrar's office.
gpt
You have not answered my question,
human
Nor am I going to, she answered, smiling.
gpt
I am going to ignore it. It was really very nice of you, but to-morrow you will laugh at it as I do now.
human
Is it necessary, he said,
gpt
Stop, please,
human
Do not force me to take you seriously, she continued.
gpt
I like to think of your offer. It was impulsive and natural. Now let us forget it.
human
I understand,
gpt
And you must please not look at me as though I were an executioner, she declared lightly.
human
I will tell you something if you like. One of the reasons why I left Paris and came to London was because there was a man there who wanted me to marry him. I really cared for him a little, but I am absolutely determined not to marry for some time at any rate. I do not want to get only a second-hand flavour of life. One can learn and understand only by personal experience, by actual contact with the realities of life. I did not want anything made smooth and easy for me. That is why I would not marry this man whom I did and whom I do care for a little. Later on--well then the time may come. Then perhaps I shall send for him if he has not forgotten.
gpt
I do not know who he is, Brendon said quietly,
human
Who can tell? she said.
gpt
Your sex is a terrible fraud. It is generally deficient in the qualities it prides itself upon most. Men do not understand constancy as women do.
human
We will take it then, he said,
gpt
Indeed, she said,
human
I would not. But it is no longer necessary. I cannot tell you much about it, but my bad times are over for the present. I will tell you what you shall give me, if you like.
gpt
Well?
human
Lunch! I am hungry--tragically hungry.
gpt
After all, he said,
human
I am not sure that you are not a very material person.
gpt
I am convinced of it, she answered.
human
Let us go to that little place at the back of the Palace. I'm not half smart enough for the West End.
gpt
Wherever you like!