human
Bettina, my darling, what is the matter?
gpt
Nothing, nothing! it is nothing, it is joy--joy!
human
Joy?
gpt
Yes, yes, wait--let me cry a little, it will do me so much good. But do not be frightened, do not be frightened.
human
It is over, I am better now, and I can talk to you. It is about Jean.
gpt
Jean! You call him Jean?
human
Yes, I call him Jean. Have you not noticed for some time that he was dull and looked quite melancholy?
gpt
Yes, I have.
human
When he came, he went and posted himself near you, and stayed there, silent, absorbed to such a degree, that for several days I asked myself-- pardon me for speaking to you with such frankness, it is my way, you know--I asked myself if it were not you whom he loved, Susie; you are so charming, it would have been so natural! But no, it was not you, it was I!
gpt
You?
human
Yes, I. Listen, he scarcely dared to look at me, he avoided me, he fled from me, he was afraid of me, evidently afraid. Now, in justice, am I a person to inspire fear? I am sure I am not!
gpt
Certainly not!
human
Ah! it was not I of whom he was afraid, it was my money, my horrid money! This money which attracts all the others and tempts them so much, this money terrifies him, drives him desperate, because he is not like the others, because he--
gpt
My child, take care, perhaps you are mistaken.
human
Oh, no, I am not mistaken! Just now, at the door, when he was going away, he said some words to me. These words were nothing. But if you had seen his distress in spite of all his efforts to control it! Susie, dear Susie, by the affection which I bear you, and God knows how great is that affection, this is my conviction, my absolute conviction--if, instead of being Miss Percival, I had been a poor little girl without a penny Jean would then have taken my hand, and have told me that he loved me, and if he had spoken to me thus, do you know what I should have replied?
gpt
That you loved him, too?
human
Yes; and that is why I am so happy. With me it is a fixed idea that I must adore the man who will be my husband. Well! I don't say that I adore Jean, no, not yet; but still it is beginning, Susie, and it is beginning so sweetly.
gpt
Bettina, it really makes me uneasy to see you in this state of excitement. I do not deny that Monsieur Reynaud is much attached to you--
human
Oh, more than that, more than that!
gpt
Loves you, if you like; yes, you are right, you are quite right. He loves you; and are you not worthy, my darling, of all the love that one can bear you? As to Jean--it is progressing decidedly, here am I also calling him Jean--well! you know what I think of him. I rank him very, very high. But in spite of that, is he really a suitable husband for you?
human
Yes, if I love him.
gpt
I am trying to talk sensibly to you, and you, on the contrary-- Understand me, Bettina; I have an experience of the world which you can not have. Since our arrival in Paris, we have been launched into a very brilliant, very animated, very aristocratic society. You might have been already, if you had liked, marchioness or princess.
human
Yes, but I did not like.
gpt
It would not matter to you to be called Madame Reynaud?
human
Not in the least, if I love him.
gpt
Ah! you return always to--
human
Because that is the true question. There is no other. Now I will be sensible in my turn. This question--I grant that this is not quite settled, and that I have, perhaps, allowed myself to be too easily persuaded. You see how sensible I am. Jean is going away to-morrow, I shall not see him again for three weeks. During these three weeks I shall have ample time to question myself, to examine myself, in a word, to know my own mind. Under my giddy manner, I am serious and thoughtful, you know that?
gpt
Oh, yes, I know it.
human
Well, I will make this petition to you, as I would have addressed it to our mother had she been here. If, in three weeks, I say to you, 'Susie, I am certain that I love him,' will you allow me to go to him, myself, quite alone, and ask him if he will have me for his wife? That is what you did with Richard. Tell me, Susie, will you allow me?
gpt
Yes, I will allow you.
human
Thank you, mamma.
gpt
Mamma, mamma! It was thus that you used to call me when you were a child, when we were alone in the world together, when I used to undress you in our poor room in New York, when I held you in my arms, when I laid you in your little bed, when I sang you to sleep. And since then, Bettina, I have had only one desire in the world, your happiness. That is why I beg you to reflect well. Do not answer me, do not let us talk any more of that. I wish to leave you very calm, very tranquil. You have sent away Annie, would you like me to be your little mamma again tonight, to undress you, and put you to bed as I used to do?
human
Yes, I should like it very much.
gpt
And when you are in bed, you promise me to be very good?
human
As good as an angel.
gpt
You will do your best to go to sleep?
human
My very best.
gpt
Very quietly, without thinking of anything?
human
Very quietly, without thinking of anything.
gpt
Very well, then.
human
I am going down to those people who bore me dreadfully this evening. Before going to my own room, I shall come back and see if you are asleep. Do not speak. Go to sleep.