human
She will be as a sister to me, she continued,
gpt
The estate belongs to you,—you are of age. I have no right either to consent or refuse.
human
Oh yes, Rudolph, you are my next of kin, and should inherit all that I have. Then I may be sure of your consent?
gpt
Perfectly so, if you really think it necessary——
human
Oh, thank you, thank you! she interrupted him, extending to him her hand. But he did not seem to notice it, although he was looking fixedly at her.
gpt
You are not angry with me for this?
human
I am never angry when you are striving to make others happy. You must remember how I have always encouraged and assisted you in such efforts. But here I do think you are in too great haste. You seem to me very ready to plunge that young creature into misery.
gpt
That is a cruel accusation! she cried.
human
Your prejudice against poor Emil, which is founded, Heaven only knows upon what, leads you beyond all bounds. You know the man far too slightly.
gpt
I know him far too well to wish to know him any better. He is a dishonourable villain, a miserable fellow of no character, by whose side a woman, let her claims for honour and uprightness in a man be ever so small, must be wretched. Woe to the poor creature when she finds him out!
human
Oh Heavens! how unjust! she cried, raising her tearful eyes to the ceiling.
gpt
Rudolph, you are committing a great sin. What has poor Emil done to you, that you should persecute him so unrelentingly?
human
Must a man be personally aggrieved in order to estimate correctly another’s character? he asked, angrily.
gpt
My child, you have been grossly deceived; but your eyes are blinded. The time will come when you will acknowledge it with shame. If I should try to remove this cup of suffering from your lips, it would avail nothing; you would repulse me, seeing in me only a barbarian treading under foot all your holiest affections. You force me to leave you to pursue your path alone, until the moment when you will fly to me for consolation and succour. My heart will always be open to you; but what will become of that other, bound irrevocably to her dreadful fate?