human
Faith is ridiculed, fasting is despised, the very idea of self-denial is as absurd to pagan to-day as it was nineteen hundred years ago to pagan Rome. And with its frivolous marriages and easy divorces the world again drags woman back to the couch of the concubine from which Christianity with so much blood and tears lifted her up nineteen hundred years ago.
gpt
Francis, you are a dreamer. Society is gone; you can’t restore it. I see only a lovely woman its victim. I am not responsible for the condition that made her one and I certainly shall not stand by and see her suffer because the world is rotten--nor would you--don’t protest, I know you, too. So I am going to raise her as high as man can raise a woman. She deserves it. She deserves infinitely more. I am only sorry I can’t raise her higher. I am going to make her my wife; and you, Francis, shall dance at the wedding. Oh, you needn’t throw up your hands--you are going to dance at the wedding.
human
Non posso, non posso. I cannot dance, Robert.
gpt
You don’t mean, Francis, demanded Kimberly severely suspicious,
human
How could I ever be different to you from what I have been? Every day, Robert, I pray for you.
gpt
Don’t do it.
human
Not?
gpt
For the present let me alone. I’m doing very well. The situation is delicate.
human
Don’t stir God up, Francis; don’t you see? Don’t attract his attention to me. I’m doing very well. All I want is to be let alone.
gpt
By the way, how does it seem to be quite a free woman?
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Your decree was granted to-day.
human
Now, pray forget it. You see, you were called to the city but once. You spent only ten minutes in the judge’s chambers, and answered hardly half a dozen questions. You have suffered over it because you are too sensitive--you are as delicate as Dresden. And this is why I try to stand between you and everything unpleasant.
gpt
But sha’n’t you be tired of always standing between me and everything unpleasant?
human
No, he answered,
gpt
I like it. It is my part of the job. And when I look upon you, when I am near you, even when I breathe the fragrance of your belongings--of a glove, a fan, a handkerchief--I have my reward. Every trifle of yours takes your charm upon itself.
human
Here are the maps and photographs.
gpt
Oh, this is the villa. Alice’s eye ran with delight over the views as she spread them before her.
human
Tell me everything about it.
gpt
I have not seen it since I was a boy. But above Stresa a pebbled Roman highway winds into the northern hills. It is flanked with low walls of rotten stone and shaded with plane trees. Half an hour above the town an ilex grove marks a villa entrance.