human
I said you were not to come until to-morrow, she said.
gpt
I can't see you now, as I'm just going out.
human
I could not wait till to-morrow. I can't bear suspense.
gpt
I've nothing to say to you, so it's no use your coming in.
human
But I'm in already, Anna, and I must speak to you.
gpt
Very well. Go into the sitting-room and I'll listen.
human
I'll follow you,
gpt
You seem almost as eager to marry me now as you were before to get out of it,
human
If you think a moment of all that this must mean to me, of my desperate anxiety to know the truth about the past and to see what lies ahead, you'll understand it all, Anna;
gpt
I haven't had enough time to think about it, she replied.
human
Of course it takes a lot of thinking about.
gpt
Does that mean you are not sure I am the man who wronged you?
human
Why should it, pray?
gpt
Well, you said that you had been mistaken about the child.
human
I may have said that for a purpose. You got the soft side of me yesterday, and---- But I tell you I haven't made up my mind.
gpt
You haven't altered your opinion about my being an honourable man and wishing to do the right thing, I hope?
human
Why does one day make such a difference?
gpt
Every minute makes a difference, Anna. I am on the rack and it's positive torture to prolong this suspense.
human
I'm sorry. I am really; but I can't make up my mind. If you could do without me all these years, another day can't matter so much. Not that I can see.
gpt
If you had lost your memory, you'd understand.
human
But that was only a week or two ago. What of all the other time, the years and years you've left me to fend for myself?
gpt
I can't account for that,
human
You hadn't lost your memory all that time, however.
gpt
The shock of the explosion has utterly changed me in every way.
human
It was about time, I should think, judging by all I've heard and the way you treated me. I don't deny you're a white man enough now; but what if you got your memory back? It might change you into something very different. I have to think of that, you know. You might be mad enough to--to do anything; perhaps even murder me. You're not surprised it makes me think, are you? I don't wish to be made into an honest woman only to be murdered.
gpt
You need not fear that, Anna.
human
Why not? How do you know what you'd be mad enough to do if you got your memory back and found you'd tied yourself to me?
gpt
There's a very simple way out of that. Even if you wish me to marry you, we need not live together. I should give you an allowance and you could go your way and I mine, if you preferred it.
human
Do you mean that?
gpt
You little know me if you doubt it, Anna.
human
Look here, come to-morrow.
gpt
Why not to-day? You have made up your mind, I can see that; so why not tell me now?
human
Not to-day. To-morrow.
gpt
Why?
human
I can't tell you why. Don't ask me.
gpt
But I do ask you. I beg you as earnestly as I can.
human
Your reason has to do with some one else?
gpt
What do you mean?
human
I had a visit yesterday from a man who called himself Rudolff.
gpt
Well? What's that got to do with it?
human
With two companions he tried to murder me.
gpt
Is that true?
human
As you see, the attempt failed and the man himself got the blow intended for me. I took him to my rooms afterwards and--well, here's his confession.
gpt
As you hear, he was the man who pointed me out to you yesterday in the Thiergarten.
human
What--do you--think it all means?
gpt
Do you know Count von Erstein?
human
You don't believe--that I had anything--to do with all that?
gpt
Oh no, Anna. I am sure you had not. I have told the authorities----
human
The police?
gpt
Not the police. But, of course, a man can't let any one attempt his life and just sit down under it. I have a very influential friend----
human
Who is that?
gpt
Baron von Gratzen; and he----
human
Did you tell him about me?
gpt
He knows of it. He is greatly interested in me because this unfortunate affair about my treatment of you will affect all he can do for my future. His wife and daughter were present yesterday when you recognized me. Of course he questioned me all about it and declared that he would have the fullest investigation made at once.