human
That's right, Mr. Garnet: I see you have not lost all your reason yet, said Pet, quietly;
gpt
Miss Lawless, forgive my hasty temper. I did not come to threaten you, to-night, but to set you at liberty,
human
Humph! set me at liberty! I have my doubts about that,
gpt
Nevertheless, it is true. To-night they are all gone--we are all alone; say but the word, and in ten minutes you will be as free as the winds of heaven.
human
Worse and worse! Mr. Garnet, just look me in the eye, will you, and see if you can discover any small mill-stones there? Do you really think I'm green enough to believe you, now?
gpt
Miss Lawless, I swear to you I speak the truth. In ten minutes you may leave this, free and unfettered, if you will.
human
Well, I declare! Just let me catch my breath after that, will you? Mr. Garnet, I have heard of Satan turning saint, but I never experienced it before. So you'll set me free, will you? Well, I'm sure I feel dreadfully obliged to you, though I don't know as I need to, since but only for you I wouldn't be here at all. I'm quite willing to go, though, and am ready to start at any moment.
gpt
Wait one instant, Miss Petronilla. I will set you free, but on one condition.
human
Ah! I thought so! I was just thinking so, all along! And what might that condition be, if a body may ask?
gpt
That you become my wife!
human
Phew-w-w! Great guns and little ones! bombshells and hurricanes! Fire, murder, and perdition generally! Your wife! Oh, ye gods and little fishes! Hold me, somebody, or I'll go into the high-strikes.
gpt
Girl, do you mock me?
human
Mr. Garnet, my _dear_ sir, take things easy. It's the worst thing in the world, for the constitution and by-laws, flaring up in this manner. It might produce a rush of brains to the head, that would be the death of you, if from nothing but the very novelty of having them there. 'Sh--sh! now; I see you are going to burst out with something naughty; but don't--you really mus'n't speak of your kind friend and patron with the tail and horns, to ears polite. Mock you! St. Judas Iscariot forbid! I trust I have too much respect for your high and mighty majesty, to do anything so impolite. Sit down, Mr. Garnet, and make your unhappy soul as miserable as circumstances will allow. No, now that I've eased my mind, I'd rather not get married just at present, thank you. I intend to take the black veil some of these long-come-shorts, if I may be allowed so strong an expression, and second-hand nuns are not so nice as they might be. No, Mr. Garnet, I'm exceedingly obliged for your very flattering offer; but I really must decline the high honor of sharing your hand, heart, and tooth brush,
gpt
And by all the fiends in flames, minion, you shall not decline it! shouted Garnet, maddened by her indescribably taunting tone.
human
By the heaven above us you shall either be my wife or--
gpt
Well, said Pet, sitting down at the table, resting her elbows upon it, dropping her chin in her hands, and staring at him as only she could stare;
human
Then, mad girl, you shall either be my wife, or share a worse fate.