human
This rock is like a great throne, he said,
gpt
To protect myself, perhaps, from one who is inclined to be over-bold,
human
Hope!
gpt
And are you not the man?
human
Tell me then, he said quietly,
gpt
It's a long climb up this steep mountain,
human
And you are tired! I can see it now. But it was good of you to come to meet me here like this, Hope--_sweetheart_!
gpt
No, no! you must not talk like that!
human
You know I cannot help it when I am with you. I must tell you over and over that I love you--_love you_, Hope! Why not, when my heart sings it all the time? And have you not given me the _right_, dear?
gpt
Wait! Not now, she said more softly.
human
Talk about something else--_anything_,
gpt
And must I humor you, my queen, he said.
human
Look down and let me read in your eyes what I want to find there--then I will talk about anything, everything, until you want to hear what is in my heart!
gpt
Only daylight can reveal what is in my eyes, she replied.
human
The light of the moon is unreal, deceiving. Tell me how long you have been here, and where did you leave your horse?
gpt
You are evading me for some reason. If I did not believe it to be impossible, I should say that I am nervous--and that you are nervous. Can you not be yourself to me now--at this time? Why did you want me to meet you here?
human
You say you love me. Then aren't you content to just sit here in silence beside me?
gpt
Pardon me, dear, but my love is almost too great for silence. You will admit that. Then with a touch of amusement in his voice:
human
Tell me, are you angry with me that I should speak so plainly to you?
gpt
No, no! Of course not--only talk about something else just now. How long have you been here?
human
An eternity, he replied.
gpt
Or perhaps longer. I'm not sure. When I left you there at the camp I went directly back to the ranch. The men were all in bed. I went in and got my rifle and started over here. You see we are both armed!
human
A good gun,