human
Yes, he said with dignity,
gpt
I do. And----
human
You believe that her love for you is big enough to bring her to the point of--of--well--foregoing the thing for whose sake she accepted me?
gpt
Of course I do, but--you can see for yourself that she has not been happy. I have made it just as hard for her as I possibly could, too. I have not told her about _Sparks_, or the chiefs taking a shine to me, or my rise in salary. I--I wanted her to have a bad time, I--I wanted the little wretch to feel what she was going to give up in giving up you, and all your things, just for me. For the penniless, obscure kid I was at first.
human
And you think that she will do this now?
gpt
Yes, poor little thing, oh, yes, she will! He mused for a moment and then his face sharpened again and he added testily,
human
But I won't ask her to.
gpt
You mean that she must ask you? Barclay spoke more gently.
human
Well, when she has asked you to marry her--what are you going to do about poor Miss Perkins?
gpt
Oh, Miss Perkins--Miss Perkins,
human
Yes. This is bound to be something of a blow to her.
gpt
I--oh, she'll be all right,
human
You mean that she won't mind?
gpt
Oh, no, she won't mind. She's a remarkably sensible girl---- then he burst into a roar of laughter.
human
Look here, Sir John, he gasped,
gpt
I take it you will be able to kill the lady without much bloodshed? he asked.
human
I--I have been suspecting as much.
gpt
John, she called softly,
human
John, are you there?