human
Shall I say it for you?
gpt
It is not necessary,
human
In any case, she said, with a sigh,
gpt
It is all right. That is a rocking-chair. She is getting impatient. Nevertheless she lowered her voice and leaned forward in her chair.
human
The time is sure to come when Viola will learn the truth about herself and me,--and you, as well. I feel it in my bones. It may not come till after I am dead. But no matter when it comes, I want to feel sure now,--to-night, Kenneth,--that you will never undertake to deprive her of the lands and money I shall leave to her.
gpt
What is this you are saying? She slowly repeated the words.
human
Why, how could I dispossess her? It is yours to bequeath as you see fit, madam. Do you think I am a mercenary scoundrel,--that I would try to take it away from her? I know she is not my father's daughter, but--why, good heaven, I would never dream of fighting for what you--
gpt
Your love for her,--though unrequited,--aye, even though she became embittered toward you because of what happened years ago,--you love her enough to stand aside and allow her to hold what I shall leave to her?
human
You are talking in riddles. What on earth are you driving at?
gpt
You will not fight her right, her claim to my estate?
human
Why, of course not!
gpt
Even though the law might say she is not entitled to it?
human
The law can take no action unless I invoke its aid, said he.
gpt
And that is something I shall never do,
human
I wish I could be sure of that,
gpt
You may be sure of it, he said, with dignity.
human
Possess your soul in peace, if that is all that is troubling it.
gpt
Sit down, she said, a strange huskiness in her voice. He obeyed her.
human
Your father left a certain part of his fortune to me. There was no provision made for Viola. You understand that, don't you?
gpt
Yes. I know all about that, said he, plainly bewildered.
human
On the other hand, he did not impose any restrictions upon you. You are at liberty to dispose of your share by will, as you see fit, madam. I am not likely to deny my step-sister what is rightfully hers. And that reminds me. She is not my blood relation, it's true. But she is my step-sister. That settles another point. I could not ask my step-sister to be my wife. The law would--
gpt
Now we have come to the point where I shall answer the question you asked a while ago, she interrupted, straightening up in her chair and regarding him with a fixed, steady light in her eyes that somehow seemed to forewarn him of what was about to be revealed.
human
I said it would prove two things to me. One of them was that you are the same kind of man that your father was before you. I mean if you had said you could not ask Viola to be your wife. She paused, and then went on slowly, deliberately.
gpt
I lived with your father for nearly twenty years. In all that time he never asked me to be his wife.
human
You--you mean--
gpt
He never asked me to be his wife,
human
My God! Am I to understand that you--that you were never married to my father?
gpt
Yes. I waited twenty years for him to ask me to marry him,--but he never did.