human
Now, Miss Rose, I want you to listen very carefully to me for a few minutes.
gpt
Yes?
human
I have asked you to come, went on the great surgeon,
gpt
You will have need of all your courage, and also of all your good sense, to help him along a very rough bit of road,
human
What is it? she exclaimed.
gpt
What is going to happen to him? Is he going to die? I don't mind what it is, if only you will tell me!
human
Mr. Jenkinson agrees with me, said Sir Jacques, slowly and deliberately,
gpt
He waited a moment, and as she said nothing, he went on:
human
But though there is no danger of his losing his life, there is a very great danger, Miss Otway, of his losing what to such a man as Jervis Blake counts, I think, for more than life--his courage. By that of course I do not mean physical bravery, but that courage, or strength of mind, which enables many men far more afflicted than he will ever be, to retain their normal outlook on life. Speaking more to himself, he added,
gpt
I have formed a very good opinion of this young man, and personally I think he will accept this great misfortune with resignation and fortitude. But one can never tell, and it is always best to prepare for the worst.
human
I understand what you mean, she said quietly.
gpt
And I thank you very much, Sir Jacques, for having spoken to me as you have done.
human
And now, he said,
gpt
Thank you
human
I don't think anything of the sort can be thought of now. In fact I would not give my consent to an immediate marriage. I feel certain that my son, too, would refuse to take advantage of his position to suggest it.
gpt
I think, said Sir Jacques quietly,
human
Of course I want to marry him at once! she said brokenly.
gpt
Every time I have had to leave him in the last few days I have felt miserable. You see, I _feel_ married to him already, and if you feel married, it's so very strange not to _be_ married.
human
Come, come! he said sharply, and taking her by the arm he shook her violently.
gpt
This won't do at all---- he gave a warning look at the other man.
human
Of course Miss Rose will do exactly what she wishes to do! She's quite right in saying that she's as good as married to him already, Sir John. And it's our business--yours, hers, and mine--to think of Jervis, and of Jervis only just now. But she won't be able to do that if she allows herself to be upset!
gpt
I'm so sorry--please forgive me!