human
We have never spoken directly, or at any length, of Beatrice, she said, suddenly.
gpt
I wish you would tell me about her.
human
Here?
gpt
Yes, here and now; Lorenzo shall be your judge.
human
I am not afraid of Lorenzo. He is not a god; on the contrary, he has all our deepest humanity on his musing face; it is for this reason that he impresses us so powerfully. As it is the first time you have expressed any wish, Miss Stowe, I suppose I must obey it.
gpt
Will it be difficult?
human
It is always difficult, is it not, for a man to speak of an unhappy love?
gpt
I will excuse you.
human
I have not asked to be excused. I first met Mrs. Lovell in Sicily. I was with her almost constantly during five weeks. She is as lovable as a rose--as a peach--as a child.
gpt
Your comparisons are rather remarkable,
human
They are truthful. I fell in love with her; and I told her so because there was that fatal thing, an opportunity--that is, a garden-seat, starlight, and the perfume of flowers. Of course these were irresistible.
gpt
Indeed?
human
Do not be contemptuous. It is possible that you may not have been exposed to the force of the combination as yet. She rebuked me with that lovely, gentle softness of hers, and then she went away; the Sicilian days were over. I wrote to her--