human
You are angry with me, of course; the last time I saw you, you made me promise to wait for you, and, in spite of that, I went away. But he came back--and when he learned that I had found you, and that you had gone to beg his father to forgive us, he cried out that that was ridiculous, that his father would be furious, that he would separate us or prevent him from seeing me, and that there was nothing for us to do but leave Paris at once; I believed him--he urged me so hard--and I went with him. We travelled a long time; I kept imploring him to write to you to find out if you had been successful with his father, but he told me we must wait. At last, about a week ago, he brought me here, to this house, told me that I should have everything I desired, left me a lot of money, and went away, saying that he would return soon; so I am always expecting him, and when you rang I thought it was he.
gpt
Poor sister! said Sans-Cravate, gazing mournfully at the girl, who tried to banish the traces of her tears with a smile;
human
O my God! can it be possible that Albert doesn't love me? It can't be true!
gpt
Oh! you had guessed it already, I am sure; your pale face, the terrible change in your features since our last meeting, your eyes all red from crying. Oh! you've been unhappy, you've been grieving a long time--that's easy to see.
human
Well! yes, brother; I admit that I have noticed for some time that Albert was not so pleasant and loving with me; in fact, he no longer seemed happy, but I thought he was afraid of his father's anger.
gpt
His father! why, he has consented to your marriage.
human
Can that be true? what happiness!
gpt
No, no, my poor Liline, don't be happy too soon! for it is your seducer himself who refuses to wipe out his crime and make you his wife.
human
He refuses--Albert! Oh! no, my dear brother, that is impossible; at all events, when he knows--and I haven't dared to tell him that yet--I hoped to make him very happy when he came back, with such a pleasant surprise--ah! brother, when he knows that I am going to be a mother, do you think he will refuse to give a name to his child?
gpt
A mother! he murmured;
human
I must leave here--but suppose Albert should come back?
gpt
Don't you be alarmed! he'll be in Paris before long, and Paris is where I'm going to take you. Remember that you must trust me, believe what I say, and obey me. You know perfectly well that I won't deceive you; you know that your happiness and the honor of our family are what I care most about.
human
Oh! yes, I do know it, brother.
gpt
Then do what I tell you. Make haste and get together what things belong to you. But leave all the money and jewels that man has given you; for we'll show him that he's mistaken if he thinks he can pay for your dishonor with them. If he deserts you, you will stay with me; I have strong arms, and I'm no longer the sot and loafer I used to be. No, no; I've had troubles of my own, you see; and trouble is like lead--it makes your head heavy. I'll tell you about it some day; meanwhile, I'll work to support you--and your child--and what I give you won't make you blush, at any rate. Go and do what I say, and be quick; there's a carriage waiting for us.