human
You know why I have come down here?
gpt
You know why I have come down here?
human
To see your cousin.
gpt
No, indeed. I'm not particularly fond of my cousin, who is a methodical stiff-necked old bachelor,--as cross as the mischief.
human
How disagreeable!
gpt
Yes; he is disagreeable. I didn't come down to see him, I can tell you. But when I heard that you were going to be here with the Longestaffes, I determined to come at once. I wonder whether you are glad to see me?
human
I don't know,
gpt
Do you remember what you said to me that evening at my mother's?
human
Did I say anything? I don't remember anything particular.
gpt
Do you not? Then I fear you can't think very much of me. He paused as though he supposed that she would drop into his mouth like a cherry.
human
I thought you told me that you would love me.
gpt
Did I?
human
Did you not?
gpt
I don't know what I said. Perhaps if I said that, I didn't mean it.
human
Am I to believe that?
gpt
Perhaps you didn't mean it yourself.
human
By George, I did. I was quite in earnest. There never was a fellow more in earnest than I was. I've come down here on purpose to say it again.
gpt
To say what?
human
Whether you'll accept me?
gpt
I don't know whether you love me well enough. She longed to be told by him that he loved her. He had no objection to tell her so, but, without thinking much about it, felt it to be a bore. All that kind of thing was trash and twaddle. He desired her to accept him; and he would have wished, were it possible, that she should have gone to her father for his consent. There was something in the big eyes and heavy jaws of Mr. Melmotte which he almost feared.
human
Do you really love me well enough?
gpt
Of course I do. I'm bad at making pretty speeches, and all that, but you know I love you.
human
Do you?
gpt
By George, yes. I always liked you from the first moment I saw you. I did indeed.
human
Then I will love you, she said.
gpt
I will with all my heart.
human
There's a darling!
gpt
Shall I be your darling? Indeed I will. I may call you Felix now;--mayn't I?
human
Rather.
gpt
Oh, Felix, I hope you will love me. I will so dote upon you. You know a great many men have asked me to love them.
human
I suppose so.
gpt
But I have never, never cared for one of them in the least;--not in the least.
human
You do care for me?
gpt
Oh yes. She looked up into his beautiful face as she spoke, and he saw that her eyes were swimming with tears. He thought at the moment that she was very common to look at. As regarded appearance only he would have preferred even Sophia Longestaffe. There was indeed a certain brightness of truth which another man might have read in Marie's mingled smiles and tears, but it was thrown away altogether upon him. They were walking in some shrubbery quite apart from the house, where they were unseen; so, as in duty bound, he put his arm round her waist and kissed her.
human
Oh, Felix, she said, giving her face up to him;
gpt
He did not in the least believe her, nor was the matter one of the slightest importance to him.
human
Say that you will be good to me, Felix. I will be so good to you.
gpt
Of course I will be good to you.
human
Men are not always good to their wives. Papa is often very cross to mamma.
gpt
I suppose he can be cross?
human
Yes, he can. He does not often scold me. I don't know what he'll say when we tell him about this.
gpt
But I suppose he intends that you shall be married?
human
He wanted me to marry Lord Nidderdale and Lord Grasslough, but I hated them both. I think he wants me to marry Lord Nidderdale again now. He hasn't said so, but mamma tells me. But I never will;--never!
gpt
I hope not, Marie.
human
You needn't be a bit afraid. I would not do it if they were to kill me. I hate him,--and I do so love you. Then she leaned with all her weight upon his arm and looked up again into his beautiful face.
gpt
You will speak to papa; won't you?
human
Will that be the best way?
gpt
I suppose so. How else?
human
I don't know whether Madame Melmotte ought not--
gpt
Oh dear no. Nothing would induce her. She is more afraid of him than anybody;--more afraid of him than I am. I thought the gentleman always did that.
human
Of course I'll do it, said Sir Felix.
gpt
I'm not afraid of him. Why should I? He and I are very good friends, you know.
human
I'm glad of that.
gpt
He made me a Director of one of his companies the other day.
human
Did he? Perhaps he'll like you for a son-in-law.
gpt
There's no knowing;--is there?
human
I hope he will. I shall like you for papa's son-in-law. I hope it isn't wrong to say that. Oh, Felix, say that you love me.
gpt
Of course I love you, he said, not thinking it worth his while to kiss her.
human
It's no good speaking to him here. I suppose I had better go and see him in the city.
gpt
He is in a good humour now,
human
But I couldn't get him alone. It wouldn't be the thing to do down here.
gpt
Wouldn't it?
human
Not in the country,--in another person's house. Shall you tell Madame Melmotte?
gpt
Yes, I shall tell mamma; but she won't say anything to him. Mamma does not care much about me. But I'll tell you all that another time. Of course I shall tell you everything now. I never yet had anybody to tell anything to, but I shall never be tired of telling you.