human
Oh!
gpt
What is the matter, dear?
human
Only a thought that flashed across my mind at what you were saying.
gpt
Tell me, dearest, what it is?
human
It is a matter of such trivial importance, and one which I regarded as so personal to myself, that I should not have said anything about it but for the fact you have just mentioned.
gpt
You need not hesitate, Jessie, to tell me anything, as whatever concerns you will not be regarded as trivial by me.
human
Well then, she replied, with downcast eyes,
gpt
I had a visit this week from Mr. Barton; and I suppose you’ll never guess the object of that visit?
human
Which one?
gpt
Charles,
human
Then I’ll not try guessing, dear, since it is so difficult, but leave you to tell me.
gpt
Well then, without repeating all he said, as no doubt I should fail to do him justice, he told me very bluntly that he wanted a wife, and asked me to consent to have him for a husband. Of course, as you may well imagine, I declined that honour. He did not take my reply kindly, at which I was not altogether surprised, as I suppose no man, if he is in earnest (and I have no reason to doubt but that he was), would be likely to do. But after questioning and cross-examining me as to who I was preferring before him, he concluded that he thought he knew who the person was. It was then he said——
human
What did he say?
gpt
I don’t feel as if I can tell you,
human
Don’t hesitate, dear,
gpt
He never mentioned your name, but I felt all the time he was referring to you.
human
Never mind, darling, you have gone too far now not to tell me all.
gpt
Well, he said the man he referred to was a worthless, dishonest scoundrel, not fit to be the companion of any honest woman.
human
And you had sufficient confidence in me not to be influenced by that statement?
gpt
Can you doubt it, she replied,
human
Not for one moment, dearest,
gpt
You will easily see my reason for not intending to tell you this.
human
I do, Jessie; and honour you, my love, all the more for your consideration.
gpt
But the thought that flashed into my mind, when you told me of how your secret had somehow got known, was, could Barton in any way have become the possessor of that information, and in a fit of jealousy written the letter to England?
human
Such a thing may have been possible, but I scarcely like to regard it as probable,
gpt
But say nothing about this to anyone, Jessie, at present, as it is a circumstance which will bear thinking about, and I will turn it over in my mind and see what is to be made out of it.
human
Let’s make the best of it.