human
I didn't suppose you were in--in a position--to do that.
gpt
I am.
human
Did you think that that was what I meant when I--I opened my heart to you last night?
gpt
No. I know it wasn't. My offer is inspired by nothing but what I feel.
human
Good! It was some minutes before Guion spoke again.
gpt
If I remember rightly, he observed then,
human
I said I would sell my soul for half a million dollars. I didn't say I wanted to borrow that amount.
gpt
You may put it in any way you like, Davenant smiled.
human
I've come with the offer of the money. I want you to have it. The terms on which you'd take it don't matter to me.
gpt
But they do to me. Don't you see? I'd borrow the money if I could. I couldn't accept it in any other way. And I can't borrow it. I couldn't pay the interest on it if I did. But I've exhausted my credit. I can't borrow any more.
human
You can borrow what I'm willing to lend, can't you?
gpt
No; because Tory Hill is mortgaged for all it will stand. I've nothing else to offer as collateral--
human
I'm not asking for collateral. I'm ready to hand you over the money on any terms you like or on no terms at all.
gpt
Do you mean that you'd be willing to--to--to _give_ it to me?
human
I mean, sir, he explained, reddening a little,
gpt
I am; but--don't be offended!--it seems to me you'd put me in a tighter.
human
How's that?
gpt
I'VE DONE WRONG, BUT I'M WILLING TO PAY THE PENALTY
human
It's a little difficult to explain. He leaned forward, with one of his nervous, jerky movements, and fingered the glass containing the three chrysanthemums, but without taking his eyes from Davenant. So far he was quite satisfied with himself.
gpt
You see, it's this way. I've done wrong--very wrong. We needn't go into that, because you know it as well as I. But I'm willing to pay the penalty. That is, I'm _ready_ to pay the penalty. I've made up my mind to it. I've had to--of course. But if I accepted your offer, you'd be paying it, not I.
human
Well, why shouldn't I? I've paid other people's debts before now--once or twice--when I didn't want to. Why shouldn't I pay yours, when I should like the job?
gpt
There's no reason why you shouldn't do it; there's only a reason why I shouldn't let you.
human
I don't see why you shouldn't let me. It mayn't be just what you'd like, but it's surely better than--than what you wouldn't like at all.