human
All this is painful to me, Lord Montague.
gpt
I'm sorry, he continued, in the same tone.
human
I cannot help it. I must say it. I--you must know that I love you. And then, not heeding the nervous start the girl gave in stepping backward,
gpt
And--and, will you be my wife?
human
You do me too much honor, Lord Montague,
gpt
No, no, not a bit of it.
human
I am obliged to you for your good opinion, but you know I am almost a school-girl. My governess has just left me. I have never thought of such a thing. And, Lord Montague, I cannot return your feeling. That is all. You must see how painful this is to me.
gpt
I wouldn't give you pain, Miss Mavick, not for the world. Perhaps when you think it over it will seem different to you. I am sure it will. Don't answer now, for good.
human
No, no, it cannot be,
gpt
You are not offended?
human
No,
gpt
I couldn't bear to offend you. You cannot think I would. And you will not be hard-hearted. You know me, Miss Mavick, just where I am. I'm just as I said.
human
The carriage is coming,
gpt
We have waited so long; mamma, that I am a little tired, and you will excuse me from the drive this afternoon?
human
Certainly, my dear.
gpt
Well?
human
No go,
gpt
What? And you made a direct proposal?
human
Showed her my whole hand. Made a square offer. Damme, I am not used to this sort of thing.
gpt
You don't mean that she refused you?
human
Don't know what you call it. Wouldn't start.
gpt
She couldn't have understood you. What did she say?
human
Said it was too much honor, and that rot. By Jove, she didn't look it. I rather liked her pluck. She didn't flinch.
gpt
Oh, is that all? And Mrs. Mavick spoke as if her mind were relieved.
human
What could you expect from such a sudden proposal to a young girl, almost a child, wholly unused to the world? I should have done the same thing at her age. It will look different to her when she reflects, and understands what the position is that is offered her. Leave that to me.
gpt
I know women, Mrs. Mavick, and I tell you there is something behind this. Somebody has been in the stable.
human
I don't understand your language,
gpt
I beg pardon. It is just a way of speaking on the turf. When a favorite goes lame the morning of the race, we know some one has been tampering with him. I tell you there is some one else. She has some one else in her mind. That's the reason of it.
human
Nonsense. cried Mrs. Mavick, with the energy of conviction.
gpt
It's impossible. There is nobody, couldn't be anybody. She has led a secluded life till this hour. She hasn't a fancy, I know.
human
I hope you are right, he replied, in the tone of a man wishing to take a cheerful view.
gpt
Perhaps I don't understand American girls.
human
I think I do, she said, smiling.
gpt
They are generally amenable to reason. Evelyn now has something definite before her. I am glad you proposed.