human
Miss Anstrade asks for you. She wishes to return.
gpt
You must go back with her. She is weary of this life--sick of it and of me. I will remain here for a time. You hear me, don't you, Frank? besides, it is necessary your eyes should be looked to. Of course, he went on patiently,
human
I understand how you feel. I have seen that you have shunned me, but God knows, my lad, I would not have left you alone in the ruins if I could have helped it Frank, I tried to get back to you, but I was overcome by those cursed fumes. Do you believe it, Frank?
gpt
Ay, I believe it, Jim.
human
Ah! he said with a sigh of relief.
gpt
Now will you take her back, my lad? Take her away out of this, and when you are once again back among your fellows, forget that ever I had the impudence to make a pact about her. Forget it, and win her.
human
My God! said Webster, drawing back.
gpt
But you can see,
human
I can see--yes, said Hume, in hollow tones.
gpt
See how you shrink from me. Do you ask me now to take her back?
human
You don't speak?
gpt
The black will fade out. It is only powder.
human
Yes, and my eyebrows will grow, he said with a bitter laugh,
gpt
No, lad; you must not see her until you have recovered.
human
Then, you must take her, and I will at once see Sirayo about your departure. By the way, he has our share of one part of the treasure already found, and it will be sufficient to pay your way to Cape Town and to take her passage.
gpt
You will come also, of course, keeping near by day, and sharing our camp by night?
human
You have forgotten the Golden Rock. I will remain here.
gpt
Impossible! I could not leave you behind.
human
I will stay.
gpt
But what must I tell her?
human
Tell her that, as we came for the Golden Rock, it would be folly for the whole of us to return at the very time when the natives are friendly, and that I have remained behind in the interests of the party.
gpt
She will want to hear that from your own lips.
human
I will see Sirayo--tell him to make arrangements for your departure, and will leave for the rock. If she asks for me I will not be within call.
gpt
It is a miserable ending,
human
Not for you,
gpt
Why?
human
You will have an opportunity to push your suit, and you may do so.
gpt
Look here, Frank: I will take Miss Anstrade to Pretoria or Cape Town, and part with her as a friend--if she is willing to call me friend--and I will come back here to you. How long will it take for the double journey?
human
Three months.
gpt
In three months, then, I will be back.
human
Have you seen him?
gpt
Yes.
human
Why, then, is he not with you?
gpt
He is making arrangements for our departure, and I am afraid you will not see him--at any rate, at present.
human
Why not?
gpt
You will remember that we came here for a certain purpose, and that, certainly, was not to return as soon as we had arrived. One of us is to remain, and it is decided that I go with you.
human
Oh, she said, looking haughtily at him,
gpt
Yes, he answered slowly;
human
I made it.
gpt
Then I decline to go with you.
human
I am afraid you must.
gpt
Where is Mr Hume?
human
Frank asked me to say good-bye. He is very busy. I told him how important it was he should lose no time.
gpt
Would you leave a blind man alone, and again seek the safest course yourself, you--you coward?
human
I should have told you, he said gravely,