human
The time for discussing the thing is over, he said.
gpt
I will go--and--do _as you wish_. The only thing to put straight is the price down.
human
What do you mean by the price down?
gpt
I want money.
human
Of course, you shall have it.
gpt
I want more than my expenses, and something to cover the loss to my business which my absence may create.
human
How much more?
gpt
Ten thousand pounds in cash now, to be placed to my credit in my bank.
human
Ten thousand pounds in cash! That is a big order.
gpt
Not too big for what you require me to do. You make hundreds of thousands by me eventually; what is one ten thousand? It will relieve my mind and set a certain matter straight. The fact is--I will confide in you so far--my own pecuniary affairs are anything but flourishing. I have had some calls to meet. What little property I own is settled on my wife. You know that a man cannot interfere with his marriage settlements. I have one child. I want to make a special provision for her.
human
I know your child, said Lord Grayleigh, in a very grave tone;
gpt
She is, he answered slowly.
human
I wish to make a provision for her. If I die (I may die, we are all mortal; I am going to a distant place; possibilities in favor of death are ten per cent. greater than if I remain at home)--if I die, this will be hers. It will comfort me, and make it absolutely impossible for me to go back. You understand that sometimes a miserable starved voice within me speaks. I allude to the voice of conscience. However much it clamors, I cannot listen to it when that sum of money lies in the bank to my credit, with my last will and testament leaving it eventually to my daughter.
gpt
I would not give your daughter such a portion, if I were you, thought Lord Grayleigh, but he did not say the words aloud. He said instead,
human
What you wish shall be done.