human
You won't rush away, headlong? You can spare a day or two to me--and to Kitty? She smiled frostily.
gpt
Kitty has been looking forward to your coming, Anthony.
human
It is very good of Lady Kitty, he said, contracting his eyebrows in a frown.
gpt
She is still with you, then?
human
She is good enough to brighten up my loneliness, dear child. I don't know what I should do without Kitty.
gpt
You seem to get on well together.
human
She is a dear child to me, said Lady Jane, her face becoming almost warm.
gpt
I wish she had been my daughter, really.
human
You would rather have her than your son, mother?
gpt
You have never given me any trouble, Anthony, but you are more your father's child than mine.
human
Some women would have loved me all the more,
gpt
It was good of Lady Kitty to go out to-night. I suppose she thought we would have things to talk about after nearly six months of absence.
human
Oh, dear, no, said the mother.
gpt
It was an old engagement, that was all. Kitty knows I'm not sentimental.
human
Except where she is concerned.
gpt
I shall think you are jealous, Anthony,
human
Of whom, mother?
gpt
Not of your mother, Anthony.
human
You are not interested in my six months of absence.
gpt
Among savages, my poor Anthony.
human
They are not the least bit in the world savages, mother. They are very charming people.
gpt
I daresay, but who are _they_?
human
Mr. Graydon--and his family.
gpt
Oh, I didn't know he had a family. Of course, he was married before he sold out. He married beneath him. It was something rather disgraceful, I think. Afterwards--he went under.
human
I am sure he did nothing disgraceful, mother. He would be no more capable of it than--my father. Besides, I have seen Mrs. Graydon's picture; it hangs over his study mantelpiece. She was a lovely young woman, and very distinctly a lady.
gpt
Indeed! I am not interested in Mr. Graydon's family affairs. I know he married beneath him.
human
Mother, why do you detest Graydon so much?
gpt
I am not aware that I detest him. You are like your father, always making absurd friendships, and jumping to absurd conclusions.
human
I am glad to be like my father.
gpt
Yes, of course, I must go to uncle at once. If I go to Liverpool to-morrow night, I should get a boat on Thursday. Yet I did not want to go now.
human
No, surely. Why, you haven't yet even seen Kitty. She will be vexed that she was out.
gpt
I wasn't thinking of Lady Kitty.
human
Oh! and her face stiffened again.
gpt
I don't profess to understand the young men of the present generation.
human
Mother, said the young man--and he blushed like a girl--
gpt
What do you mean, Anthony? It is a question you should ask Kitty yourself. You are not afraid of the answer, surely?
human
I hope she cares nothing for me.
gpt
You _hope_!
human
Yes, said her son doggedly.
gpt
It is a disgustingly foppish thing for a man to have to say; but I hope it----
human
Are you mad, Anthony?
gpt
Not that I know, mother. You have always suggested a marriage between us, and have behaved as if there were some such understanding, but it has been entirely your doing. I was a young idiot not to have put my foot on it long ago, but worse than that I have not been.
human
You will not dare to play with Kitty.
gpt
I play with no lady, said her son, meeting her glance steadily.
human
I have fetched and carried for Kitty, because she was always here, and a woman--and young and pretty perhaps; I have never said a word of love to her.
gpt
You have allowed it to be understood; and if you play her false now, you will kill her. You know how delicate she is. She is dearer to me than you are, ten thousand times over.
human
I daresay, but that is no reason why you should persuade me that your will is, or has been, or ever will be, mine.
gpt
Kitty's money would make you very rich.
human
That would be the last reason, mother.
gpt
If you brought me Kitty for a daughter, I should love you.
human
I have grown used to doing without your love.
gpt
There is someone else, I suppose?
human
There is someone else,
gpt
Not someone you have met over there?
human
Yes.
gpt
I thought ill would come of it; but you cared no more for my wishes than your father before you. Who is it?
human
I am sorry you are so bitter, mother. It is Mr. Graydon's daughter.
gpt
Archibald Graydon's daughter!