human
I might have told you, said I at Last,
gpt
My faith, this country! she exclaimed with genuine surprise.
human
What extraordinary things it does! I have just seen history made between the lightings of a cigarette, as it were. Now comes this man and announces that since midnight he has met and won the lady who is to rule his heart, and that he is to marry her at six!
gpt
Then congratulate me!
human
Ah, she said, suddenly absorbed;
gpt
But still you have not congratulated me.
human
Ah, Monsieur, she answered lightly,
gpt
I do not credit myself with such fatal charms, said I.
human
Rather say what of my little clasp there. I promised that to the tall girl, as you know.
gpt
And might I not wear it for an hour?
human
I shall give you a dozen better some time, said I;
gpt
And my slipper? I said I must have that back, because I can not hop along with but one shoe all my life.
human
That you shall have as soon as I can get to my rooms at Brown's Hotel yonder. A messenger shall bring it to you at once. Time will indeed be short for me. First, the slipper for Madam. Then the license for myself. Then the minister. Then a friend. Then a carriage. Five miles to Elmhurst, and the train for the North starts at eight. Indeed, as you say, the methods of this country are sometimes hurried. Madam, can not you use your wits in a cause so worthy as mine?
gpt
One woman's wits against another's! she flashed at me.
human
As for that --She made a swift motion to her throat.
gpt
Here is the trinket. Tell the tall lady it is my present to you. Tell her I may send her a wedding present--when the wedding really is to happen. Of course, you do not mean what you have said about being married in such haste?
human
Every word of it, I answered.
gpt
And at her own home. 'Tis no runaway match; I have the consent of her father.
human
But you said you had her consent only an hour ago. Ah, this is better than a play!
gpt
It is true, said I,
human
To Montreal? How curious! she mused.
gpt
But what did Mr. Calhoun say to this marriage?
human
He forbade the banns.
gpt
But Monsieur will take her before him in a sack--and he will forbid you, I am sure, to condemn that lady to a life in a cabin, to a couch of husks, to a lord who would crush her arms and command her--
human
She is the dearest girl in the world,
gpt
Has she fortune?
human
I do not know.
gpt
Have you fortune?
human
God knows, no!
gpt
You have but love-and this country?
human
That is all.
gpt
It is enough, said she, sighing.
human
Dear God, it is enough! But then -she turned to me suddenly--
gpt
I don't think you will be married so soon, after all. Wait.
human
That is what Mr. Pakenham wanted Mr. Calhoun to do,
gpt
But Mr. Pakenham is not a woman.
human
Ah, then you also forbid our banns?
gpt
If you challenge me, she retorted,
human
I shall do my worst.
gpt
Then do your worst! I said.
human
All of you do your joint worst. You can not shake the faith of Elisabeth Churchill in me, nor mine in her. Oh, yes, by all means do your worst!
gpt
I wish I could ask you to attend at our wedding, I concluded, as her carriage approached the curb;