human
Mr. Spencer, you--you have no right to talk to me like this. You have had my letter----
gpt
Your letter? what letter?
human
The one I sent you yesterday; it ought to have been delivered this morning.
gpt
It wasn't; I've had no letter of yours which you sent me yesterday; where did you send it? to what address?
human
I addressed it to you at Holtye.
gpt
Then that's why I've not had it; possibly I never shall have it. You rushed off in such a flurry, before I could speak a word to you, that I had no chance to tell you that I wasn't staying at Holtye.
human
Not staying at Holtye? then where are you staying?
gpt
At the 'Unicorn,' I've taken a room there; it's only another illustration of the truth of what I've so often told you, the more haste the worse speed. I can see now that you'd go tearing off if I'd let you; but I won't. I want to explain.
human
I--I'd rather you explained through the post.
gpt
Then I wouldn't; and I'm not going to. When people wish to understand each other in matters of real importance I hold that they'd better do so face to face; I've no faith in pen and ink; microbes breed in ink-bottles, which breed all sorts of misconceptions. Now I can see that you're rushing at your fences again. You're taking it for granted that I wish to speak to you on one subject, when I principally wish to speak to you about your father. I want to tell you something about him which you ought to know.
human
What is it?
gpt
Your father hoped that we should marry; he knew that I loved you, and would always love you; and he thought you loved me, and would always love me; and therefore----
human
What were you going to tell me about my father?
gpt
I met him on the morning on which I was starting for Cairo----
human
You never told me.
gpt
I had an idea that he didn't wish me to mention that I'd met him, so I didn't. We lunched together; he gave me a most excellent lunch----
human
I'm glad he gave you an excellent lunch.
gpt
There, Nora! that's much more like you! thank you! It was an excellent lunch; it was after lunch he said he hoped that we should marry, because, as I have already observed, he knew that----
human
Yes; we'll take that for granted; please go on.
gpt
I'm going on as fast as ever I can; but it'll only be another case of more haste worse speed if you won't let me tell my tale my own way, because, if I don't, I'm nearly sure to leave out essential details. Among other things he remarked that, one day, you'd be a rich young woman.
human
You're sure he said that?
gpt
Quite; your father could express himself clearly enough if he chose; and he expressed himself clearly then.
human
But--I don't understand.
gpt
Wait a bit; I'm going to make you understand, if you'll have a little patience. Later, I cannot say that he said so clearly, but he intimated, that he obtained his income from some business with which he was connected, and which represented to him a large sum of money.
human
Business! I didn't know that he had anything to do with any business.
gpt
Mind, he didn't state definitely that he had; and I asked no questions, but that was what he hinted. Then he said something which, in the light of recent events, appears to me to have been rather remarkable. He observed that life was always uncertain; that one could never tell the hour when one would die, and that, therefore, since I was going to be the husband of his only child, he would like to place in my hands directions as to what he would desire to have done, in case death took him unawares; or before he completed certain arrangements which he then had in view.
human
What a strange thing for him to say!
gpt
You see how necessary it was that I should see you face to face, and how difficult it would have been to put this on to paper? Nora, I love you!
human
Are you--are you really telling me what my father said?
gpt
I'm going to tell you everything he said, if you'll give me time enough; only don't suppose for a moment that you're going to keep me from saying that I love you; especially as it was because he knew I loved you, and believed that you loved me, that he told me what he did.
human
I--I wish you'd go on.
gpt
After I'd been a few days in Cairo there came a package in which there was a note from him; a brief and characteristic note, to this effect. 'Dear Robert,' you see he called me Robert. He paused, as if to challenge her.
human
Nora, I wish you'd call me Robert; it's a stupid, ugly, vulgar, clumsy name, but you don't know how I long to hear it on your lips.
gpt
I--I don't know that it's any of the things you say it is; I--I don't know that there's anything particularly the matter with the name.
human
That's very sweet of you.
gpt
But I don't think it's either fair or kind of you to try to take advantage of me like this!
human
Take advantage of you! is your sense of justice so warped that you can say a thing like that! In what sense am I supposed to be trying to take advantage of you, Nora?
gpt
You're pretending to tell me about my father, and--and you keep trying to tell me about other things instead.
human
The only tie which bound me to your father, the only reason he had for placing his confidence in me, was his knowledge of my love for you.
gpt
Very well; if you like we'll take that for granted----
human
I don't like.
gpt
Tell me what was in the note!
human
It doesn't matter.
gpt
And have you opened it?
human
That's the gist and point of the whole affair--I haven't it.
gpt
I don't understand; I thought you said----
human
I did say. What's that?
gpt
It's only a rabbit, or a hare.
human
It must be a large specimen of either animal, and an awkward one, to make a noise like that.
gpt
What were you going to say?
human
I placed the sealed envelope in my suit-case, together with my other most valuable possessions; which, with the exception of some of your dear letters, were worth about twopence; at the moment I'd nowhere else to put it. When I left, the suitcase was placed, with my other luggage, on the train, and, I presumed, transferred from the train to the boat; yet, when I went down to my cabin, after the boat was fairly off, the suit-case wasn't there.
gpt
What had become of it?
human
That's the problem which I have still to solve, and which I'm going to solve. Either it was left behind at my aunt's, which she denies, or it was left on the train, which the railway company denies, or it was taken by mistake to somebody else's cabin, which every one denies, or it was stolen, of which I haven't the faintest proof. Anyhow, it was, and, at present, it isn't; as yet that's as far as I've got.
gpt
Then my father's letter to you is lost.
human
But it's not going to continue lost; I have lost things before, but I'm not going to lose the only thing I ever had worth losing; I've a ridiculous sort of fatalistic feeling that, as matters have chanced, if I lose that letter--really, and truly, and finally lose it--I may lose you; you don't suppose I'm going to sit down quietly and endure that loss with equanimity? You don't know me, my lady, if you do. What is that? Don't tell me that that's either a rabbit or a hare.
gpt
Perhaps it's a fox.
human
Foxes don't set the whole countryside in a clatter when they start moving; they're of much too retiring a nature. It's some one making off through the bushes, that's who it is. Hi! you there, who are you?
gpt
Perhaps it was some one who came upon us unexpectedly, and--and didn't wish to disturb us.
human
Perhaps so; we're obliged to his taste for self-effacement if it is.
gpt
I suppose you've no idea what was in the envelope.
human
I've been putting two and two together, and I've formed a hypothesis which I'm convinced can't be very far out. Your father was not a man to say the thing which is not.
gpt
I'm sure of it.
human
I also; he did not say you would be a rich woman without cause. The hypothesis I've deduced is this. Your father was a gentleman of the old school; he didn't like commerce; he didn't wish people to think that he had anything to do with commerce; yet all the while he was drawing his income from a business with which he had probably been associated more or less unwillingly. At the time I saw him he was making arrangements to dispose of it; whether or not they were completed I cannot say; that envelope contains the clue. When he spoke of the suddenness of death he was possibly aware that he had a congenital predisposition towards the end which was actually his; and that envelope contained the secret--which he was even perilously anxious to preserve in life--of what was the source of his income, and of the fortune which he had built up for you.
gpt
All this, of course, is surmise.
human
You know it's more than surmise; you know that you're a rich woman, as you stand there.
gpt
I know, from the only facts which as yet are established, that, at present, I'm a pauper.
human
Well, we're both of us paupers; all the better.
gpt
I don't agree.
human
You're taking your cue from my mother.
gpt
I should prove myself very foolish if I need take such a cue from any one.
human
There's a wisdom of the foolish which is sometimes wonderful. If you were to marry me tomorrow----
gpt
As if I should!
human
You'd make my fortune!
gpt
When, as you've told me again and again, you live on charity; and directly you married me that charity would stop?
human
I know a way by which I could earn two or three hundred a year right off; before long I'd be earning thousands; I'm not incapable, I only need a spur; to work for the woman I love! I ask for nothing better. If I marry a woman with money the probability is that I should never earn a penny.
gpt
No, but you'd earn a name for yourself instead; one can earn something better than money.
human
May be.
gpt
And she'd be proud of you.
human
Even supposing that you're not buttering me up----
gpt
As if I would!
human
As if you would! as if you haven't done it over and over again! I know! I say, even granting I'm a swan of the very finest plumage----
gpt
Mr. Spencer!
human
Miss Lindsay; since you will interrupt me; and will descend to surnames; though, Nora, you're a darling.
gpt
It's no use our indulging in abstract discussions. I've no doubt you'll be able to clothe charming sentiments in the very best language. I know how clever you are.
human
Thanks very much.
gpt
But what's the use, since my mind's made up that I won't marry you while I'm a pauper?
human
Acting on my mother's instructions.
gpt
If you like to put it that way; though I wouldn't even if your mother hadn't interposed; if I'd thought I was going to be a pauper I'd never have said I would.
human
Although you love me?
gpt
Because I love you.
human
Nora! You're going to make a mess of things.
gpt
I'm going to try not to make a mess of things.
human
You're starting the wrong way.
gpt
Listen. I don't think you've behaved well about that envelope my father sent you.
human
Do you imagine that I think I have? do I look it? How my countenance belies me!
gpt
There appear to have been some letters of mine in that suit-case; I didn't think you'd have left my letters lying about.
human
Nora!
gpt
You seem to have left the suit-case lying about, so I suppose you left my letters too.
human
Of all the--of all the----! Well, I deserve it.
gpt
I think you do. When you find that envelope you can come and show me what is in it; until then--good-bye.
human
Do you mean that?
gpt
I hope that I am like my father in not saying what I don't mean; I do mean it.
human
I'll find that envelope!
gpt
And I hope you'll find my letters.
human
I'll find them too.
gpt
I hope there was nothing in them very--very amusing; it isn't nice to feel that strangers are reading one's--one's private letters.
human
You rub it in.
gpt
I know what you mean; I'll find the letters and the envelope, and the suit-case; and if any one has opened that suit-case I'll--I'll make them smart.
human
Good-bye.
gpt
Like that! Nora! won't you even give me your hand?
human
If you'll promise only to take my hand.
gpt
I promise; I'll take only what you're willing to give. They stood, for some seconds, hand in hand, eyes looking into eyes, as if they found it difficult to speak. Then he said,
human
Don't suppose I don't think you're right; I know you're doing this for me, and I know you're always right. This good-bye is only the prelude to a time of waiting, and hope, and work. First of all I'll find that envelope, then if there's nothing in it to show that you're a millionaire, I'm going to work and be a millionaire--I'll win you in my own way. I'm not afraid of waiting; you'll not marry any one but me.
gpt
I don't think I shall.
human
I don't think you will either.
gpt
There's something I'd like to ask, if you won't misunderstand.
human
I'll not misunderstand.
gpt
I'd like to kiss you before I go, only--I don't want you to kiss me.
human
Nora!