human
Ah! said Lawrence.
gpt
Sit down and be comfortable, Jack. When one is really worried, nothing like a perfect chair. Take my own. Now, then, let us talk it over.
human
It doesn't look well,
gpt
Always face the situation, said Lawrence (he had got an uncommonly awkward situation of his own to face, and it was a little relief to turn to some one else's).
human
Nothing done by blinking facts. Here we are. Young lady of eighteen or so--just released from a convent; ignorant of the world; pretty; attractive ways; rich, as girls go--on the one hand. On the other, you: good-looking, as my cousin Agatha L'Estrange says, though I can't see it; of a cheerful disposition--_aptus ludere_, fit to play, _cum puellâ_, all the day----
gpt
Don't chaff, Colquhoun; it's too serious.
human
An inflammable young man. Well, with any other girl the danger would have been seen at once; poor Phillis is so innocent that she is supposed to be quite safe. So you go on calling. My cousin Agatha writes me word that she has been looking for the light of love, as she calls it, in Phillis's eyes; and it isn't there. She is a sentimentalist, and therefore silly. Why didn't she look in your eyes, Jack? That would have been very much more to the purpose.
gpt
She has, now. I told her yesterday that I--I--loved Phillis.
human
Did she ask you to take the young lady's hand and a blessing at once? Come, Jack, look at the thing sensibly. There are two or three very strong reasons why it can't be.
gpt
Why it can't be!
human
First, the girl hasn't come out. Now, I ask you, would it not be simply sinful not to give her a fair run? In any case you could not be engaged till after she has had one season. Then her father, who did not forget that he was grandson of a Peer, wanted his daughter to make a good match, and always spoke of the fortune he was to leave her as a guarantee that she would marry well. He never thought he was going to die, of course; but all events I know so much of his wishes. Lastly, my dear Jack Dunquerque, you are the best fellow in the world, but, you know--but----
gpt
But I am not Lord Isleworth.
human
That is just it. You are his lordship's younger brother, with one or two between you and the title. Now don't you see? Need we talk about it any more?
gpt
I suppose Phil--I mean Miss Fleming--will be allowed to choose for herself. You are not going to make her marry a man because he happens to have a title and an estate, and offers himself?
human
I suppose, said Lawrence, laughing,
gpt
I have said no word of love to her, Colquhoun, I give you my honour, said Jack hotly,
human
I don't think she would understand it if I did.
gpt
I am glad of that at least.
human
If I am to give her up and go away, I dare say, the poor youth went on, with a little choking in his throat,
gpt
My dear Jack, there will be no going away. You tell me you have not told her all the effect that her _beaux yeux_ have produced upon you. Well, then--and there has been nothing to compromise her at all?
human
Nothing; that is, once we went to the Tower in a hansom cab.
gpt
Oh, that is all, is it? Jack Dunquerque--Jack Dunquerque!
human
And we have been up the river a good many times in a boat.
gpt
I see. The river is pleasant at this time of the year.
human
And we have been riding together a good deal. Phil rides very well, you know.
gpt
Does she? It seems to me, Jack, that my cousin Agatha is a fool, and that you have been having rather a high time in consequence. Surely you can't complain if I ask you to consider the innings over for the present?
human
No; I can't complain, if one may hope----
gpt
Let us hope nothing. Sufficient for the day. He who hopes nothing gets everything. Come out of it at once, Jack, before you get hit too hard.
human
I think no one was ever hit so hard before, said Jack.
gpt
Colquhoun, you don't know your ward. It is impossible for any one to be with her without falling in love with her. She is----