human
Of course, my dear, I will send it back to him. Is there nothing else?
gpt
No, mamma;--nothing else. I have no letters, and no other present. You always knew everything that took place. If you will just send that back to him,--without a word. You won't say anything,--will you, mamma?
human
There is nothing for me to say if you have really made him understand you.
gpt
I think he understood me, mamma. You need not doubt about that.
human
He has behaved very, very badly,--from the beginning,
gpt
It's no good talking about that, mamma. I hope you will never talk of him any more.
human
He is quite unworthy,
gpt
I can't bear to--have him--abused,
human
My dear Hetta, I have no doubt this has made you for the time unhappy. Such little accidents do make people unhappy--for the time. But it will be much for the best that you should endeavour not to be so sensitive about it. The world is too rough and too hard for people to allow their feelings full play. You have to look out for the future, and you can best do so by resolving that Paul Montague shall be forgotten at once.
gpt
Oh, mamma, don't. How is a person to resolve? Oh, mamma, don't say any more.
human
But, my dear, there is more that I must say. Your future life is before you, and I must think of it, and you must think of it. Of course you must be married.
gpt
There is no of course at all.
human
Of course you must be married, continued Lady Carbury,
gpt
Money to Mr. Broune!
human
Yes,--to Mr. Broune. I had to pay a sum for Felix which Mr. Broune told me ought to be paid. And I owe money to tradesmen. I fear that I shall not be able to keep on this house. And they tell me,--your cousin and Mr. Broune,--that it is my duty to take Felix out of London,--probably abroad.
gpt
Of course I shall go with you.
human
It may be so at first; but, perhaps, even that may not be necessary. Why should you? What pleasure could you have in it? Think what my life must be with Felix in some French or German town!
gpt
Mamma, why don't you let me be a comfort to you? Why do you speak of me always as though I were a burden?
human
Everybody is a burden to other people. It is the way of life. But you,--if you will only yield in ever so little,--you may go where you will be no burden, where you will be accepted simply as a blessing. You have the opportunity of securing comfort for your whole life, and of making a friend, not only for yourself, but for me and your brother, of one whose friendship we cannot fail to want.
gpt
Mamma, you cannot really mean to talk about that now?
human
Why should I not mean it? What is the use of indulging in high-flown nonsense? Make up your mind to be the wife of your cousin Roger.
gpt
This is horrid, said Hetta, bursting out in her agony.
human
Cannot you understand that I am broken-hearted about Paul, that I love him from my very soul, that parting from him is like tearing my heart in pieces? I know that I must, because he has behaved so very badly,--and because of that wicked woman! And so I have. But I did not think that in the very next hour you would bid me give myself to somebody else! I will never marry Roger Carbury. You may be quite--quite sure that I shall never marry any one. If you won't take me with you when you go away with Felix, I must stay behind and try and earn my bread. I suppose I could go out as a nurse.