human
I suppose neither of you girls have any idea why I invited you here, so I may as well inform you and get it over. In the first place, have either of you any entanglements?
gpt
Entanglements?
human
Entanglements?
gpt
I mean, are either of you engaged to be married?
human
Oh, dear no!
gpt
No, indeed!
human
Or--in love with anybody?
gpt
Only with each other. We are chums and sweethearts,
human
Very good! said curt Mrs. Ellsworth, smiling, as she continued:
gpt
And you are both as poor as church mice; I know that without asking. Now, don't color up and get angry. Poverty is inconvenient, but it's no disgrace. Besides, I intend to change all that.
human
You two girls are the nearest kin I have in the world, and it's time I made some provision for your future. Well, I'm going to do it. That's why I sent for you to come to Ellsworth.
gpt
You know that I have quite a large fortune left me by my husband, and that my step-son, Love Ellsworth, is a millionaire. Well, I propose to have you two girls succeed to these fortunes; one by inheritance from me, the other by marrying my step-son.
human
Oh, oh!
gpt
Love is heart-whole and fancy-free now, but he will fall in love some day and marry, and why not one of my nieces, I'd like to know? Both of you are as pretty as pictures, and I say to you, go in and win. The one that he chooses will be lady of Ellsworth, the other I will adopt as my heiress. How does the prospect please you? Better than drudging in a school, eh?