human
Two men! Ourïeda echoed, looking shocked.
gpt
But how can there be two?
human
I fancy I said that because you asked me about dreams, she apologized.
gpt
The man who has been my hero all my life--and always will be, I suppose, though he doesn't care for me and thinks of me as a child--I can't dream of, for some strange reason. He's seldom out of my thoughts by day for very long, I believe; but the other--I hardly know why I mentioned him!--is only a friend, and quite a new friend. He's nothing to me at all, really, though I'm interested in him because of the strange way we met and were thrown together. But the odd thing is, I dream of him--often.
human
The women of my people say it is the man you dream of who has touched your soul,
gpt
That's a very poetical idea, but I'm sure it isn't true! Sanda exclaimed.
human
Now tell me about yourself, because if Lella Mabrouka should send----
gpt
Yes, I am, oh, so anxious to tell you! But what you said about the man of your thoughts and the man of your dreams was very queer, and made me forget for an instant. I am glad you love some one, for that will help you to understand me, and by and by you will tell me more. Already I can see that you must be almost as unhappy as I am, because you say the one you care for doesn't care for you. That must be terrible, but you are free, and perhaps some day you can make him care. As for me, if I am not saved soon, I shall be married to Tahar and lost forever.
human
But surely your father, who loves you so dearly, won't actually force you to marry against your will?
gpt
He will expect me to obey, and I shall have to obey or--kill myself. Rather that, only--oh, Sanda, I am a coward! At the last minute my courage might fail. The one thing my father would promise was that I should be left as I am till my seventeenth birthday. That very day is fixed for the beginning of the marriage feast. We shall have a whole week of rejoicing. Think of the horror of it for me! I had a year of hope when he made the promise. Now I have less than six months. And in all that time nothing has happened.