human
Mr. Melmotte is--dead, said his son. The old man dropped his stick, and fell back against the wall.
gpt
This man says that he is dead, and here is a letter from Marie asking me to go there. How was it that he--died?
human
It was--poison, said the butler solemnly.
gpt
There has been a doctor already, and there isn't no doubt of that. He took it all by himself last night. He came home, perhaps a little fresh, and he had in brandy and soda and cigars;--and sat himself down all to himself. Then in the morning, when the young woman went in,--there he was,--poisoned! I see him lay on the ground, and I helped to lift him up, and there was that smell of prussic acid that I knew what he had been and done just the same as when the doctor came and told us.
human
What's the use? What good can you do? She'll only be falling into your arms, and that's what you've got to avoid,--at any rate, till you know how things are.
gpt
I couldn't refuse her, he said over and over again.
human
I couldn't bring myself to do it. Oh, no;--I shall certainly go.
gpt
You'll get into a mess if you do.
human
Then I must get into a mess. I shall certainly go. I will go at once. It is very disagreeable, but I cannot possibly refuse. It would be abominable.
gpt
Don't you go and make a fool of yourself, his father said to him when he was alone.
human
This is just one of those times when a man may ruin himself by being soft-hearted.