human
Wrong? she said, dazed;
gpt
I hadn't thought about that. David, I wouldn't have come to you except--except because it was the end. Anything else is impossible, you know.
human
Why?
gpt
I am married,
human
Blair Maitland will take his own medicine, now, he said;--
gpt
It can't be, David; don't you see it can't be?
human
But it _is_ already; I will never let you go. I've got you--at last. Elizabeth, listen to me; while you've been talking, I've thought it all out: as things are, I don't think you can possibly get a divorce from Blair and marry me. He's 'kind' to you, you say; and he's 'decent,' and he doesn't drink--and so forth and so forth. I know the formula to keep a woman with a man she hates and call it being respectable. No, you can't get a divorce from him; but he can get a divorce from you ... if you give him the excuse to do so.
gpt
Blair is fond of me, she said;
human
There is a way out if you love me enough to--come to me. Then, he said in a whisper,
gpt
As for me, nothing matters. Even if it is wicked--
human
It is not wicked!
gpt
Well, if it were, if you wanted me I would come. I don't seem to care. Nothing seems to me wrong in the whole world. And nothing right. Do you understand, David? I am--done. My life is worthless, anyhow. Use it--and throw it away. But it would ruin you. No, I won't do it.
human
Ruin me? It would make me! I have shriveled, I have starved, I have frozen without you. Ask my mother if what I tell you isn't true. She caught her breath and drew away from him.
gpt
Your mother!
human
It would end your career,
gpt
Career! The only career I want is _you_. Medicine isn't the only thing in the world, nor Philadelphia the only place to practise it. And if I can't be a doctor, I can break stones for my wife. Elizabeth, to love you is the only career I want. But you--can you? Am I asking more than you can give? Do you care what people say? We may not be able to be married for a year. Longer, perhaps; the law takes time. They will call it disgrace, you know, the people who don't know what love means. Could you bear that--for me? Do you love me enough for that, Elizabeth?