human
I am rather glad to have a word alone with you, says he,
gpt
To what effect, Mr. Drummond? said I.
human
I would be obliged to you if you would approach your point.
gpt
Ay, ay, says he, laughing,
human
He filled a glass of wine.
gpt
Though between you and me, that are such fast friends, it need not bother us long. The point, I need scarcely tell you, is my daughter. And the first thing is that I have no thought in my mind of blaming you. In the unfortunate circumstances, what could you do else? 'Deed, and I cannot tell.
human
I thank you for that,
gpt
I have besides studied your character, he went on;
human
I am afraid I am dull, said I.
gpt
What ways are these?
human
Why, sir, says he,
gpt
I think I need scarce describe them to a gentleman of your condition; either that I should cut your throat or that you should marry my daughter.
human
You are pleased to be quite plain at last,
gpt
And I believe I have been plain from the beginning! cries he robustiously.
human
I am a careful parent, Mr. Balfour; but I thank God, a patient and deleeberate man. There is many a father, sir, that would have hirsled you at once either to the altar or the field. My esteem for your character--
gpt
Mr. Drummond, I interrupted,
human
Why, very true, says he, with an immediate change.
gpt
And you must excuse the agitations of a parent.
human
I understand you then, I continued--
gpt
It is not possible to express my meaning better, said he,
human
That remains to be yet seen, said I.
gpt
But so much I need make no secret of, that I bear the lady you refer to the most tender affection, and I could not fancy, even in a dream, a better fortune than to get her.
human
I was sure of it, I felt certain of you, David,
gpt
You go too fast, Mr. Drummond, said I.
human
There are conditions to be made; and there is a difficulty in the path, which I see not entirely how we shall come over. I have told you that, upon my side, there is no objection to the marriage, but I have good reason to believe there will be much on the young lady's.
gpt
This is all beside the mark, says he.
human
I will engage for her acceptance.
gpt
I think you forget, Mr. Drummond, said I,
human
So that this is to be the way of it, I concluded.
gpt
I will marry Miss Drummond, and that blythely, if she is entirely willing. But if there be the least unwillingness, as I have reason to fear--marry her will I never.
human
Well, well, said he,
gpt
Not a finger of you, Mr. Drummond, or I cry off, and you can seek a husband to your daughter somewhere else, said I.
human
It is I that am to be the only dealer and the only judge. I shall satisfy myself exactly; and none else shall anyways meddle--you the least of all.
gpt
Upon my word, sir! he exclaimed,
human
The bridegroom, I believe,
gpt
This is to quibble, he cried.
human
You turn your back upon the facts. The girl, my daughter, has no choice left to exercise. Her character is gone.
gpt
And I ask your pardon, said I,
human
What security have I! he cried.
gpt
Am I to let my daughter's reputation depend upon a chance?
human
You should have thought of all this long ago, said I,
gpt
I can spy your manoeuvre, he cried;
human
Maybe ay, and maybe no, said I.
gpt
That is the way it is to be, whatever.
human
And if I refuse?
gpt
Then, Mr. Drummond, it will have to come to the throat-cutting,