human
Glad to see you, Lord Porthoning! I said, lying miserably.
gpt
Do you know my father-in-law, Mr. Bundercombe?
human
Yes, yes! he admitted.
gpt
Some one pointed him out to me. I asked who on earth it could be. No offense, mind, Lord Porthoning continued;
human
I am sorry my wedding presents do not meet with your approval, I remarked.
gpt
Personally I think it is very kind of my friends to send me anything at all.
human
Rubbish, Paul! Rubbish! my amiable connection interjected irritably.
gpt
Don't talk like an idiot! You know they send you things because they've got to. You've been through it yourself. Must have cost you a pretty penny in your time sending out wedding presents! Now you reap the harvest.
human
I suppose, I observed dryly,
gpt
Absolutely, my dear fellow--absolutely! Lord Porthoning declared.
human
Of course you couldn't expect quite the same enthusiasm on the part of your friends when you marry a young lady who is a stranger to all of them and who comes from the backwoods of America. Can't think how it is you young Englishmen can marry nothing, nowadays, unless it shows its legs upon the stage or has a transatlantic drawl. I am going in to see if the champagne they're opening now is any better. The first glass I had was horrid!
gpt
Say! he observed presently, as soon as an opportunity rose for private conversation.
human
He's a pleasant old gentleman, that connection of yours!
gpt
Glad you think so, I answered.
human
I don't call myself a bad-natured fellow, and to-day I feel inclined to be friends with every one; but I tell you frankly I can't bear the sight of Lord Porthoning. He has to be asked, but he's like a wet blanket wherever he goes.
gpt
Paul, he said, dropping his voice to a whisper,