human
After all I don't know that he cares for me,
gpt
Put a good face on it, he said,
human
Oh, I won't, she answered.
gpt
I don't mean.
human
Your mother will be delighted to have you back again.
gpt
I don't think that mamma cares. It's papa. I'd do it again to-morrow if I had the chance. The gentleman looked at her, not having expected so much determination.
human
I would. Why is a girl to be made to marry to please any one but herself? I won't. And it's very mean saying that I stole the money. I always take what I want, and papa never says anything about it.
gpt
Two hundred and fifty pounds is a large sum, Miss Melmotte.
human
It is nothing in our house. It isn't about the money. It's because papa wants me to marry another man;--and I won't. It was downright mean to send and have me taken up before all the people.
gpt
You wouldn't have come back if he hadn't done that.
human
Of course I wouldn't,
gpt
And are you to come? Marie asked, speaking to the gentleman. The gentleman replied that he had been requested to see Miss Melmotte home.
human
All the people will wonder who you are,
gpt
This is your game, is it?
human
Well, papa;--yes. You made me do it.
gpt
You fool you! You were going to New York,--were you? To this she vouchsafed no reply.
human
As if I hadn't found out all about it. Who was going with you?
gpt
If you have found out all about it, you know, papa.
human
Of course I know;--but you don't know all about it, you little idiot.
gpt
No doubt I'm a fool and an idiot. You always say so.
human
Where do you suppose Sir Felix Carbury is now? Then she opened her eyes and looked at him.
gpt
An hour ago he was in bed at his mother's house in Welbeck Street.
human
I don't believe it, papa.
gpt
You don't, don't you? You'll find it true. If you had gone to New York, you'd have gone alone. If I'd known at first that he had stayed behind, I think I'd have let you go.
human
I'm sure he didn't stay behind.
gpt
If you contradict me, I'll box your ears, you jade. He is in London at this moment. What has become of the woman that went with you?
human
She's gone on board the ship.
gpt
And where is the money you took from your mother? Marie was silent.
human
Who got the cheque changed?
gpt
Didon did.
human
And has she got the money?
gpt
No, papa.
human
Have you got it?
gpt
No, papa.
human
Did you give it to Sir Felix Carbury?
gpt
Yes, papa.
human
Then I'll be hanged if I don't prosecute him for stealing it.
gpt
Oh, papa, don't do that;--pray don't do that. He didn't steal it. I only gave it him to take care of for us. He'll give it you back again.
human
I shouldn't wonder if he lost it at cards, and therefore didn't go to Liverpool. Will you give me your word that you'll never attempt to marry him again if I don't prosecute him? Marie considered.
gpt
Unless you do that I shall go to a magistrate at once.
human
I don't believe you can do anything to him. He didn't steal it. I gave it to him.
gpt
Will you promise me?
human
No, papa, I won't. What's the good of promising when I should only break it. Why can't you let me have the man I love? What's the good of all the money if people don't have what they like?
gpt
All the money!--What do you know about the money? Look here, and he took her by the arm.
human
I've been very good to you. You've had your share of everything that has been going;--carriages and horses, bracelets and brooches, silks and gloves, and every thing else.
gpt
Let me go, papa; you hurt me. I never asked for such things. I don't care a straw about bracelets and brooches.
human
What do you care for?
gpt
Only for somebody to love me,
human
You'll soon have nobody to love you, if you go on this fashion. You've had everything done for you, and if you don't do something for me in return, by G---- you shall have a hard time of it. If you weren't such a fool you'd believe me when I say that I know more than you do.
gpt
You can't know better than me what'll make me happy.
human
Do you think only of yourself? If you'll marry Lord Nidderdale you'll have a position in the world which nothing can take from you.
gpt
Then I won't,