human
But--your people! she gasped.
gpt
Surely Lady Ennison would object, even if it were possible. And the Duke, too--I heard him say that a married secretary would be worse than useless to him.
human
The difficulties on my own side I can deal with, he answered.
gpt
I am not dependent upon any one. I have plenty of money, and the Duke will not be in the next Cabinet. My trouble is with your sister.
human
She has refused to listen to you?
gpt
She has behaved in a most extraordinary manner, he answered.
human
We parted--that night the best of friends. She knew that I cared for her, she had admitted that she cared for me. I suppose I was a little idiotic--I don't think we either of us mentioned the future, but it was arranged that I should go the next afternoon and have tea with her. When I went I was refused admittance. I have since received a most extraordinary letter from her. She offers me no explanation, permits me absolutely no hope. She simply refuses to see or hear from me again. I went to the theatre that night. I waited for her at the back. She saw me, and, Lady Ferringhall, I shall never forget her look as long as I live. It was horrible. She looked at me as though I were some unclean thing, as though my soul were weighted with every sin in the calendar. I could not have spoken to her. It took my breath away. By the time I had recovered myself she had gone. My letters are returned unopened, her maid will not even allow me across the doorstep.
gpt
The explanation seems to me to be reasonably simple, Annabel said coldly.
human
You seem to forget that my sister is--married.
gpt
If she is, he answered,
human
I am convinced that there are circumstances in connexion with that marriage which would make a divorce easy.
gpt
You would marry a divorcée?
human
I would marry your sister anyhow, under any circumstances,
gpt
I want to ask you a question, she said abruptly.
human
This wonderful affection of yours for my sister, does it date from your first meeting with her in Paris?
gpt
I admired your sister in Paris, he answered,
human
he went on, with a sudden glance at her,
gpt
I am highly flattered,
human
Will you help me?
gpt
What can I do?
human
Go and see her. Find out what I have done or failed to do. Get me an interview with her.
gpt
Really, she said, with a hard little laugh,
human
You are, he answered unconsciously.
gpt
I am sure that you are. I want her to tell me the whole truth about this extraordinary marriage. We will find some way out of it.
human
You think that you can do that?
gpt
I am sure of it, he answered, confidently.
human
Those things are arranged more easily in any other country than England. At any rate she must see me. I demand it as a right. I must know what new thing has come between us that she should treat me as a lover one day and a monster the next.
gpt
Alcide
human
I wonder, she said,
gpt
I care as a man cares only once in his life, he answered promptly.
human
When it comes there is no mistaking it.
gpt
Did it come--in Paris?
human
I do not know, he answered.
gpt
I do not think so. What does it matter? It is here, and it is here to stay. Do help me, Lady Ferringhall. You need not be afraid. No trouble will ever come to your sister through me. If this idiotic marriage is binding then I will be her friend. But I have powerful friends. I only want to know the truth, and I will move heaven and earth to have it set aside.
human
The truth, she murmured, with her eyes fixed upon him.
gpt
Well----
human
Forgive me, he said,
gpt
You will go and see her,
human
Yes, I will go, she promised, with a queer little smile.
gpt
It is against my husband's orders, and I am not sure that my sister will be particularly glad to see me. But I will go.
human
I shall always be grateful to you,
gpt
Don't be too sure of that,