human
Isn't it true--? she said, with hesitation--
gpt
she began once more,
human
Oh, intervene as much as you like, Miss Guion,
gpt
Well, then, isn't it true that there are things you've wanted--wanted very much--and never had? If so--and I marry Colonel Ashley--
human
Hold on! Let's see what you mean by--things. If it's visiting round in high society--
gpt
I don't mean anything so crude. Visiting round in high society, as you call it, would at best be only the outward and visible sign of an inward--and, perhaps, spiritual--experience of the world. Isn't that what you've wanted? You see, if I do marry Colonel Ashley, I could--don't be offended!--I could open a door to you that you've never been able to force for yourself.
human
You mean get me into society.
gpt
You needn't be so disdainful. I didn't mean that--exactly. But there are people in the world different from those you meet in business--and in their way more interesting--certainly more picturesque. They'd like you if they knew you--and I had an idea that you--rather craved--After all, it's nothing to be ashamed of. It's only making the world bigger for oneself, and--
human
What made you think of it?
gpt
Isn't that obvious? After you've done so much for me--
human
I haven't done anything for you, Miss Guion. I've said so a good many times. It wouldn't be right for me to take payment for what you don't owe me. Besides, there's nothing I want.
gpt
That is to say, she returned, coldly,
human
It's no question of liking; it's one of admitting a principle. If you offer me a penny it's in part payment for a pound, while I say, and say again, that you don't owe me anything. If there's a debt at all it's your father's--and it's not transferable.
gpt
Whether it's transferable or not is a matter that rests between my father and me--and, of course, Colonel Ashley, if I marry him.
human
Why do you always say that with--an 'if'?
gpt
Because, she said, slowly,
human
I can't say it in any other way.
gpt
Is that because of any reason of--_his?_
human
It's because of a number of reasons, one of which is mine. It's this--that I find it difficult to go away with one man--when I have to turn my back upon the overwhelming debt I owe another. I do owe it--I _do_. The more I try to ignore it, the more it comes in between me and--
gpt
But, Miss Guion, you're--you're--in love with him?--the man you'd be going away with?
human
Yes; but that wouldn't help me to feel justified with regard to the--the duty--I was leaving behind.
gpt
I don't understand. Do you mean to say that what I've done for Mr. Guion would keep you from getting married?
human
I'm not prepared to say that. Colonel Ashley is so--so splendid in the way he takes everything that--But I'll say this much, she began again,
gpt
How so? I thought it would be all the other way.
human
If you'll put yourself in my place--or in Colonel Ashley's place--you'll see. Try to think what it means for two people like us to go away--and be happy--and live in a great, fashionable world--and be people of some importance--knowing that some one else--who was nothing to us, as we were nothing to him--had to deprive himself of practically everything he had in the world to enable us to do it.
gpt
But if it was a satisfaction to him--
human
That wouldn't make any difference to us. The facts would be the same.
gpt
Then, as far as I see, I've done more harm than good.
human
You've helped papa.
gpt
But I haven't helped you.
human
As I understand it, you didn't want to.
gpt
I didn't want to--to do the reverse.
human
Perhaps it wouldn't be the reverse if you could condescend to let me do something for you. It would be the fair exchange which is no robbery. That's why I suggest that if I'm to have that--that life over there--you should profit by its advantages.
gpt
No, Miss Guion. Please don't think of it. It's out of the question. I wish you'd let me say once for all that you owe me nothing. I shall never accept anything from you--never!
human
Oh!
gpt
I'll take that back, he said, instantly.
human
There _is_ something you can do for me and that I should like. Marry your Englishman, Miss Guion, and do what you said just now--go away and be happy. If you want to give me a reward, I'll take that.
gpt
You're perfectly extraordinary, she said at last, in a tone of exasperation,
human
--she threw at him a second later--