human
That I should have come to this!
gpt
You deserve it all,
human
I think I do. But that you should have seen it,--that you should have come to understand that if I would be your wife I would sing every note out of my body,--to do you good if it were possible. How have you been enlightened so far as to see that this is the way in which you may best make yourself happy?
gpt
It would be so much better for him than going on as he has gone,
human
No, my lord earl, she said laughing,
gpt
That was of course out of the question, she said to herself. And she felt sure that she could make as good a countess as the best of them. With her father a Member of Parliament, and her husband an earl, she would have done very well with herself. She would have escaped from that brute Moss, and would have been subjected to less that was disagreeable in the encounter than might have been expected. She must lose the public singing which was attractive to her, and must become the wife of an old man. It was thus in truth that she looked at the noble lord.
human
There would be an end, she said,
gpt
The dream had been very pleasant to her. She had thoroughly liked her Frank. He was handsome, fresh, full of passion, and a little violent when his temper lay in that direction. But he had been generous, and she was sure of him that he had loved her thoroughly. After all, was not
human
Love's young dream
gpt
My lord, she said very gravely to her suitor,
human
I am aware of it,
gpt
It has been necessary that I should tell you myself. Now, I cannot say whether, in all honour, that engagement has been dissolved.
human
I thought there was no doubt about it,
gpt
It is as I tell you. I must write to Mr. Jones. Hearts cannot be wrenched asunder without some effort in the wrenching. For the great honour you have done me I am greatly thankful.
human
Let all that pass,
gpt
Not so. It has to be spoken of. As I stand at present I have been repudiated by Mr. Jones.
human
Do you mean to ask him to take you back again?
gpt
I do not know how the letter will be worded, because it has not been yet written. My object is to tell him of the honour which Lord Castlewell proposes to me. And I have not thought it quite honest to your lordship to do this without acquainting you.
human
My lord, she said,
gpt
Love's young dream had not gone by for Lord Castlewell.
human
I do wish it still,
gpt
Then you shall have all that you wish. Thereupon she put her little hands on his arm, and leant her face against his breast. Then there was a long embrace, but after the embrace she had a little speech to make.
human
You ought to know, Lord Castlewell, how much I think of you and your high position. A man, they say, trusts much of his honour into the hands of his wife. Whatever you trust to me shall be guarded as my very soul. You shall be to me the one man whom I am bound to worship. I will worship you with all my heart, with all my body, with all my soul, and with all my strength. Your wishes shall be my wishes. I only hope that an odd stray wish of mine may occasionally be yours.