human
Does not the room look cosy with only the firelight?
gpt
You are better now, my love. Tell me you are better,
human
I am well enough to sit and talk to you, father,
gpt
But what ailed you, Lottie? You could not come to dinner either yesterday or to-day; and I remember you looked ill this morning. What is wrong?
human
I felt troubled, and that has brought on a headache. But don't let us talk about me. I mean, I suppose we must after a little, but not at first.
gpt
Whom shall we talk about first? Who is more important? Is it Hinton? You cannot get _me_ to think that Charlotte.
human
You are more important. I want to talk about you.
gpt
Father, you have troubled me. You have caused my headache.
human
You wanted to send me away, to make me less your own, if that were possible. Father, I have come here to-night to tell you that I am not going away--that I am all your own, even to the end.
gpt
My own to the end? Yes, you must always be that. But what do you mean?
human
Why did you keep the truth from me? Why did you try to deceive me, your nearest and dearest, as to your state of health? But I know it all now. I am not going away from you.
gpt
You mean--you mean, Charlotte, you will not marry Hinton next week?
human
No, father.
gpt
Have you told him?
human
Yes.
gpt
Charlotte, do you know the worst about me?
human
I know all about you. I went to see Sir George Anderson this morning. I forced from him the opinion he has already given to you. He says that I cannot keep you long. But while I can, we will never part.
gpt
Put your arms round me darling.