human
Why do you say that? What makes you think there is a mystery about me?
gpt
Now don't get upset--please don't! soothed Kittredge.
human
If there isn't anything, just say so, and if there is, what's the matter with telling a chap who loves you and worships you and whose love wouldn't change for fifty mysteries--what's the matter with telling him all about it?
gpt
Are you sure your love wouldn't change?
human
Did _yours_ change when they told you things about me? Did it change when they arrested me and put me in prison? Yes, by Jove, it _did_ change, it grew stronger, and that's the way mine would change, that's the only way.
gpt
I know, dear. You see, I love you so much that--if anything should come between us, why--it would just kill me.
human
Nothing will come between us, he said simply, and then after a pause:
gpt
So there _is_ a mystery.
human
I'm--I'm afraid so.
gpt
Ah, I knew it. I figured it out from a lot of little things. That's all I've had to do here, and--for instance, I said to myself: 'How the devil does she happen to speak English without any accent?' You can't tell me that the cousin of a poor wood carver in Belgium would know English as you do. It's part of the mystery, eh?
human
Why--er, she stammered,
gpt
I have always known English.
human
Exactly, but how? And I suppose you've always known how to do those corking fine embroideries that the priests are so stuck on? But how did you learn? And how does it come that you look like a dead swell? And where did you get those hands like a saint in a stained-glass window? And that hair? I'll bet you anything you like you're a princess in disguise.
gpt
I'm _your_ princess, dear,
human
Now for the mystery, he persisted.
gpt
Go on, what is it?
human
It's not the kind of mystery you think, Lloyd; I--I can't tell you about it very well--because--
gpt
Don't you worry, little sweetheart. I don't care what it is, I don't care if you're the daughter of a Zulu chief. Then, seeing her distress, he said tenderly:
human
Is it something you don't understand?
gpt
That's it, she answered in a low voice,
human
Ah! Something about yourself?
gpt
Ye-es.
human
Does anyone else know it?
gpt
No, no one _could_ know it, I--I've been afraid to speak of it.
human
Afraid?
gpt
And that is why you said you wouldn't marry me?
human
Yes, that is why.
gpt
You dear, darling child, said Lloyd, as a wave of pity took him,
human
I'm a brute to make you talk about this.
gpt
You understand it's nothing I have done that is wrong, nothing I'm ashamed of?
human
Of course, he assured her.
gpt
Let's drop it. We'll never speak of it again.
human
I want to speak of it. It's something strange in my thoughts, dear, or--or my soul, she went on timidly,
gpt
What do you expect? he answered in a matter-of-fact tone,
human
What's commuting, Lloyd?
gpt
You'll find out--you'll like it, except the tunnel. And you'll be so happy you'll never think about your soul--no, sir, and you won't be afraid nights, either! Oh, you beauty, you little beauty!