human
No, I said.
gpt
I haven't thought about the war.
human
But I thought--you were thinking of nothing else.
gpt
This has put it out of my head. It's something---- Something disastrous to us.
human
Something has happened to our money?
gpt
I wish that was all.
human
Then what is it? Her mind flashed out.
gpt
It has something to do with Mary Justin.
human
How did you know that?
gpt
I guessed.
human
Well. It is. You see--in Switzerland we met.
gpt
You _met_!
human
By accident. She had been staying at the hotel on Engstlen Alp.
gpt
You slept there!
human
I didn't know she was in the hotel until the next day.
gpt
And then you came away!
human
That day.
gpt
But you talked together?
human
Yes.
gpt
And for some reason---- You never told me, Stephen! You never told me. And you met. But---- Why is this, disaster?
human
Because Justin knows and he means to divorce her--and it may be he will succeed....
gpt
And if he had not known and done that--I should never have known.
human
When you began, she choked presently,
gpt
I suppose, she said desperately at last,
human
I am afraid he will.
gpt
There's no evidence--you didn't....
human
No.
gpt
And I never dreamt----!
human
Stephen my dear, she wept,
gpt
And you know, Stephen, she said,
human
I believe you. And I _can't_ believe you. My heart is tormented. Why did you write to her? Why did you two write and go on writing? And why did you tell me nothing of that meeting? I believe you because I can't do anything but believe you. It would kill me not to believe you in a thing that came so near to us. And yet, there it is, like a knife being twisted in my heart--that you met. Should I have known of your meeting, Stephen--ever? I know I'm talking badly for you.... But this thing strikes me suddenly. Out of this clear beautiful sky! And the children there--so happy in the sunshine! I was so happy. So happy. With you coming.... It will mean shames and law-courts and newspapers, losses of friends, losses of money and freedom.... My mother and my people!... And you and all the work you do!... People will never forget it, never forgive it. They will say you promised.... If she had never written, if she had kept to her bargain----
gpt
We should still have met.
human
Stephen!... Stephen, you must bear with me....
gpt
This is a thing, I said,
human
She need not have written, said Rachel.
gpt
She need not have written. And then if you had met----
human
It is so hard, I said,
gpt
Can you speak, she asked,
human
My dear! I said;