human
At last, Mary!
gpt
What’s at last?
human
Why, do you know how hard I’ve tried to see you, and what a many times you have refused me.
gpt
Well, why keep on coming? I’m sure I never asked you to.
human
You know why, Mary.
gpt
You seem in a dreadful hurry,
human
Not so much in a hurry, Mary, as anxious to know your answer.
gpt
I’d much rather you were not so pressing,
human
But you promised to let me have your reply to my question in a week.
gpt
No! I only promised to see what I could do in that period, when you urged that a month was too long a time to take for consideration. There are circumstances which alter cases, you know.
human
Do such circumstances exist in my case?
gpt
Yes, I think they do,
human
I’m sorry if it is so.
gpt
Besides, I’m not at all anxious to give up my liberty,
human
I don’t ask you to be my slave, Mary, but my wife,
gpt
And in too many instances there is little difference between the two states.
human
Perhaps that is too true. And my difficulty is how to convince you that it will not be so in your case, if I can help it.
gpt
Every man is good at promising, and you know the homely proverb about ’Promises being like pie-crust’?
human
Do I look like a deceiver, Mary?
gpt
I’m sure I can’t tell—I’ve not seen enough of you to know.
human
Is that one of the circumstances which you said altered cases?
gpt
Well—yes; or if it isn’t it ought to be, as it’s a matter of some importance.
human
What are the other circumstances you referred to?
gpt
Well, I suppose you have not forgotten that when I came out here it was with the intention of being married to one of my cousins, who was with us?
human
No, I remember that. It was a dreadful loss, which must have deeply affected you. But regrets for the past should not be allowed to mar all future happiness.
gpt
I know. Time is said to heal all wounds, but the length of time is not stated.
human
I was hoping, Mary, you had recovered from the effects by now.
gpt
The scars left by deep wounds are not easily forgotten.
human
And such a wound never need be forgotten.
gpt
All very fine now, Mr. Barton, replied Mary.
human
Seriously, I do not feel able so soon to give you an answer. The loss and disappointment to me are yet too recent; I have seen so little of you (or you of me), and have given the subject so little thought, that I am not prepared to say what I may be willing to do.
gpt
Well, tell me, Mary, there’s a dear girl, in all seriousness, what you wish in the matter, and I will try to make your wishes my law.