human
Because, my dear Cyril, I read in yesterday's paper that your wife had been your companion on your ill-timed journey from Paris. So I thought it would be rather amusing to run over and find out a few particulars as to the young person who is masquerading under my name.
gpt
I assure you, he stuttered,
human
I expected you to tell me that she was as pure as snow! she exclaimed with a scornful laugh.
gpt
But how you with your puritanic ideas managed to get yourself into such an imbroglio passes my understanding. Really, I consider that you owe it to me, to satisfy my curiosity.
human
I regret that I am unable to do so.
gpt
So do I! Still, as I shall no doubt solve the riddle in a few days, I can possess my soul in patience. Meanwhile I shall enjoy watching your efforts to prevent me from learning the truth.
human
Unfortunately for you, that pleasure will be denied you. You are going to leave this house at once and we shall not meet again till we do so before judge and jury.
gpt
So you will persist in trying to bluff it out? Foolish Cyril! Don't you realise that I hold all the cards and that I am quite clever enough to use them to the best advantage? You see, knowing you as I do, I am convinced that the motive which led you to sacrifice both truth and honour is probably as praiseworthy as it is absurd. But having made such a sacrifice, why are you determined to render it useless? I cannot believe that you are willing to face the loss not only of your own reputation but of that of the young person who has accepted your protection. How do you fancy she would enjoy figuring as corespondent in a divorce suit?
human
My God, he cried,
gpt
Really? And have you never considered that when she finds out the truth, she may fail to appreciate the delicacy which no doubt prevented you from mentioning the trifling fact of my existence? It is rather funny that your attempts to rescue forlorn damsels seem doomed to be unsuccessful! Or were your motives in this case not quite so impersonal as I fancied? Has Launcelot at last found his Guinevere? If so, I may yet be avenged vicariously.
human
Your presence is punishment enough, I assure you, for all the sins I ever committed! But come to the point. What exactly is it that you are threatening me with?
gpt
Publicity, that is all. If neither you nor this woman object to its being known that you travelled together as man and wife, then I am powerless.
human
But you have just acknowledged that you know that our relation is a harmless one,
gpt
I do not know it--but--yes, I believe it. Do you think, however, that any one else will do so?
human
Surely you would not be such a fiend as to wreck the life of an innocent young girl?
gpt
If her life is wrecked, whose fault is it? Not mine, at all events. It was you who by publicly proclaiming her to be your wife, made it impossible for her disgrace to remain a secret. Don't you realise that even if I took no steps in the matter, sooner or later the truth is bound to be discovered? Now I--and I alone--can save you from the consequences of your folly. If you will agree not to divorce me, I promise not only to keep your secret, but to protect the good name of this woman by every means in my power.
human
I should like to know what you expect to gain by trying to force me to take you back? Is it the title that you covet, or do you long to shine in society? But remember that in order to do that, you would have radically to reform your habits.
gpt
I have no intention of reforming and I don't care a fig for conventional society!
human
You tell me that you no longer love me and that you found existence with me unsupportable. Why then are you not willing to end it?
gpt
It is true, I no longer love you, but while I live, no other woman shall usurp my place.
human
Your place! When you broke your marriage vows, you forfeited your right to a place in my life. But I will make a compact with you. You can have all the money you can possibly want as long as you neither do nor say anything to imperil the reputation of the young lady in question.
gpt
All the wealth in the world could not buy my silence!
human
This is too horrible! cried Cyril almost beside himself.
gpt
In order to shield a poor innocent child, you demand that I sacrifice my freedom, my future, even my honour? Have you no sense of justice, no pity?
human
None. I have said my last word. It is now for you to decide whether I am to go or stay. Well--which is it to be?
gpt
Stay,
human
I KNOW IT, COUSIN CYRIL