human
She sleeps, and is happy, said Reuben in a lowered tone.
gpt
Would that I could find repose!
human
Why can you not?
gpt
Because my heart is troubled by the thought of the iniquities which are committed in Israel. Sometimes it seems to me that I am a scapegoat, and that all the sins of England are upon me.
human
Rather a heavy burden, my poor cousin!
gpt
Oh, do not laugh, Esther; for it is you who are to be pitied; it is for you that I weep.
human
For me?
gpt
Yes, for you, and because of your fatal beauty.
human
Fatal! I take the compliment from whence it comes, and am charmed to know that you consider me even passing fair. But pray tell me why my beauty is fatal.
gpt
Listen and give heed, Esther. You have read the Holy Scriptures?
human
Yes.
gpt
When God imprints upon the face and body of woman a charm which renders the wisest fools, there is a hidden reason which should be visible if we would but open our eyes. He has created her for the salvation or the perdition of a variety of men. Eve worked the ruin of Adam; Bethsheba unconsciously corrupted the holy king; Delilah delivered Samson over to his enemies; Salome snatched from Herod's luxury the condemnation of the Precursor. On the contrary, Ruth exhaled joy and consolation about her; Esther softened the anger of a terrible king and saved the people of God; Jabel drove a nail into the temple of Sisera; Judith delivered Bethulia by cutting off the head of Holofernes. Which will you be, a Delilah or a Judith?
human
Neither, I hope. In the first place, pray do not count upon me to cut off anybody's head. I am a sorry coward, and I have a horror of seeing blood. The other day I saw a dog with a bleeding paw, and I thought I should faint.
gpt
Ah! exclaimed Reuben bitterly,
human
Are you going mad? cried Esther in alarm.
gpt
And yet you say you love me!
human
Yes, replied Reuben:
gpt
Naughty children! she murmured querulously.
human
Quarrelling again?--you who were born to understand one another, and to be happy!