human
Do you think that Gaston should be told?
gpt
No, no, there is no danger. Gaston, my dear, shall marry Delia Gasgoyne.
human
Shall marry? wherefore 'shall'? Really, I do not see.
gpt
She likes him, she is quite what we would have her, and he is interested in her. My dear, I have seen--I have watched for a year.
human
My wife, you are a goodly prophet.
gpt
She must be told, he said at last, aloud.
human
Yes, yes, at once. God help us both!
gpt
Sophie, when you talk with the man, remember that you are near fifty, and faded. Don't be sentimental.
human
Reine, you try one's patience. People would say you were not quite disinterested.
gpt
You mean Delia! Now, listen. I haven't any wish but that Gaston Belward shall see Delia very seldom indeed. He will inherit the property no doubt, and Sir William told me that he had settled a decent fortune on him; but for Delia--no--no--no. Strange, isn't it, when Lady Harriet over there aches for him, Indian blood and all? And why? Because this is a good property, and the fellow is distinguished and romantic-looking: but he is impossible--perfectly impossible. Every line of his face says shipwreck.
human
You are not usually so prophetic.
gpt
Of course. But I am prophetic now, for Delia is more than interested, silly chuck! Did you ever read the story of the other Gaston--Sir Gaston--whom this one resembles? No? Well, you will find it thinly disguised in The Knight of Five Joys. He was killed at Naseby, my dear; killed, not by the enemy, but by a page in Rupert's cavalry. The page was a woman! It's in this one too. Indian and French blood is a sad tincture. He is not wicked at heart, not at all; but he will do mad things yet, my dear. For he'll tire of all this, and then--half-mourning for some one!