human
But I want my little girl to leave me, he said.
gpt
Illness need not make me selfish. You can still be my one only dear daughter, and yet be Hinton's wife.
human
I am your only dear daughter, she repeated.
gpt
Never mind about my being any man's wife.
human
Charlotte, I am not sorry that you know that which I had not courage either to tell you or to cause another to tell you. I am--yes, I am dying. Some day before long I must leave you, my darling. I must go away and return no more. But before I die I want to see you Hinton's wife. It will make me happier to see this, for you love him, and he can make you happy. You do love him, Charlotte?
gpt
Yes, I love him,
human
Then we will not postpone the marriage. My child shall marry the man she loves, and have the strength of his love in the dark days that must follow; and in one week you will be back with me, no less my child because you are Hinton's wife.
gpt
Father, I cannot.
human
Not if I wish it, dear--if I have set my heart on it?
gpt
I cannot,
human
Charlotte, what is the meaning of this? There is more here than meets the eye. Have you and Hinton quarrelled?
gpt
No, except over this. And even over this it takes two to make a quarrel. I cannot marry next week; I have told him so. He is vexed, and you--you are vexed. Must I break my heart and leave you? You have always given me my own way; give it now. Don't send me away from you. It would break my heart to marry and leave you now.
human
Is this indeed so, Charlotte? he said.
gpt
Would you with your whole heart rather put it off?
human
With my whole, whole heart, I would rather,
gpt
I will not urge it. I cannot; and yet it destroys a hope which I thought might cheer me on my dying bed.
human
Never mind the hope, father; you will have me. I shall not spend that week away from you.
gpt
No, that week did seem long to look forward to.
human
Ah! you are glad after all that I am to be with you, she said.
gpt
You will let me nurse you and care for you. You will not force yourself to do more than you are able. Now that I know all, I can take such care of you, and the thought of that will make me happier by and by.
human
It is a relief that you know the worst,