human
Papa, where--is--is--George?
gpt
Oh, speak! What has happened?
human
My daughter, he is unworthy of you, he has proven himself a villain.
gpt
Proven himself a villain! why, what do you mean? Answer me!
human
He has--I cannot speak it, for I am affected as never before--but you must know the worst--George Alden has stolen five thousand dollars from the bank.
gpt
It is--it is false! he never committed a crime. Rising quickly, with excited voice she asked:
human
And--and where is he?
gpt
Alas, my child, he has absconded. I befriended him, making good the amount, and the crime is known only to the teller and myself.
human
Father, exclaimed Belle,
gpt
His wife! My God, Belle, what do you mean?
human
I mean that I am the wedded wife of George Alden, whom an unnatural father conspired to ruin, branding him as a criminal and sending him away a fugitive. Oh, I see it all! Weak from his late illness, not able to cope with villains, and left by me at the mercy of his persecutors, he is ruined, and I am murdered by--oh, God!--my father!
gpt
Why was I not made aware of this marriage? I would have saved him from flight, but now I am afraid it is too late. He--he--did not tell me of this.
human
No, pledged not to reveal the marriage until my return, his fine sense of honor, together with his weak condition, made him keep the secret. But what is manliness, honor, or love to you? You drove him away!
gpt
I did not drive him away, the evidence of guilt caused his flight. I not only made good the defalcation, but gave him money for necessary expenses. He made a fatal mistake in not informing me of this marriage; but I promise to recall him. I will do it at once. You must bear up until his return.
human
Then you will restore him to me, and when he returns you will proclaim his innocence?
gpt
Hope for the best, my child. You did wrong in keeping your marriage from me.