human
You don't expect me to eat it, I hope?
gpt
I won't make you eat it. Let's talk.
human
I must go, Blair.
gpt
Elizabeth, he said, in a low voice,
human
Forgiven you? What for? she said absently; then remembered and looked at him indifferently.
gpt
Oh, I suppose so. I had forgotten.
human
I wouldn't have done it if I hadn't loved you. You know that.
gpt
Do you hate me for loving you? On Elizabeth's cheeks the smudge of crimson began to flame into scarlet.
human
I don't hate you. I think you were a fool to love me. I think anybody is a fool to love anybody.
gpt
Don't say I was a fool; say I am a fool, if you want to. Because I love you still. I love you now. I shall never stop loving you.
human
Well, I am sorry for you, Blair. I'm sorry, because it hurts to love people who don't love you. At least, I should think it did. I don't love anybody, so I don't know much about it.
gpt
You have broken with David,
human
How did you know? she said, with a surprised look; then added listlessly,
gpt
Yes; I've done with David. I hate him. She looked blankly down at her muff, and began to stroke the fur. It occurred to her that before going to Willis's she must see Nannie, or else she would have told Miss White a lie; again the double working of her mind interested her; rage, and a desire to be truthful, were like layers of thought. She noted this, even while she was saying again, between set teeth,
human
I hate him.
gpt
He has treated you badly,
human
How did you know?
gpt
I know David. What does a man like David know about loving a woman? He would talk his theories and standards to her, when he could be silent--in her arms! He flung out his hand and caught her roughly by the wrist.
human
Elizabeth, for God's sake, _marry me._
gpt
ELIZABETH, MARRY ME!
human
Marry--me, Elizabeth.
gpt
Don't, she said, faintly;
human
Dearest, dearest, I love you. Be my wife. Elizabeth, I have always loved you, always; don't you remember? He was kneeling beside her, lifting the hem of her skirt and kissing it, murmuring crazy words; but he did not touch her, which showed that the excuse of passion was not yet complete. And indeed it was not, for somewhere in the tumult of his mind he was defending himself--perhaps to his god:
gpt
Then, aloud:
human
Elizabeth, I love you. I shall love you forever. Marry me. Now. To-night. When he said that, it was as if he had struck his god upon the mouth--for the accusing Voice ceased. And when it ceased, he no longer defended himself. Elizabeth looked at him, dazed.
gpt
No, I know you don't care for me, now, he said.
human
Never mind that! I will teach you to care; I will teach you-- he whispered:
gpt
--he was at a loss for a word; some instinct gave him the right one--
human
You love him,
gpt
I do not. I hate him! hate him! hate him! I wish he were dead in this room, so I could trample on him!