human
But--oh! if by any mischance Max should fall; if by treachery or accident--oh, Sir Karl, my heart is breaking. Do not let Max fight. These words were from her woman's heart.
gpt
His station will excuse him, but if the affair has gone too far for him to withdraw, tell him to--to leave Burgundy, to run away, to--
human
Yolanda, what are you saying? I asked.
gpt
Would you not rather see him dead than a coward?
human
No, no, Sir Karl, she cried, wrought almost to a frenzy by her grief and fear.
gpt
No, no, anything but dead.
human
Listen to reason, Yolanda, I answered.
gpt
I, who love Max more than I love the blood of my heart, would kill him with my own hand rather than have cause to call him coward and speak the truth.
human
No, no, she cried desperately, grasping my hand.
gpt
Do not let him fight. Ah, Sir Karl, if you bear me any love, if my grief and unhappy lot have touched your heart, even on the smallest spot, I pray you, do this thing for me. Do not let Max fight with this Count Calli. If Max falls--
human
But Max will not fall, I answered boldly.
gpt
He has overthrown better men than Calli.
human
Has he? Ah, tell me, has he? He is little more than a boy. I seem older than he at times, and it is hard to believe what you say, though I know he is strong, and that fear has no place in his heart. Tell me, whom has he overthrown?
gpt
Another time, Yolanda, I responded soothingly,
human
Yes, yes, sobbed Yolanda,