human
Now, Mildred, he said,
gpt
I wish to understand--God knows I am the last person who ought to reproach you--but I must clearly understand what this means.
human
What it means? she repeated.
gpt
Why do you speak in that tone? Oh, it's very fine to say you do not mean to reproach me, but your eyes and the tone of your voice reproach me. You have been very cruel to me, Philip, these last two days. What I have suffered, God only knows. I have gone through the most fearful strain; I, alone, unaided by you, have had to keep the bazaar going, to entertain our distinguished guests, to be here, there, and everywhere, but, thank goodness, we did collect a nice little sum for the Home for Incurables. I wonder, Philip, when you think of your own dear little daughter, and what she may----
human
Hush!
gpt
I refuse to allow Sibyl's name to enter into this matter, he said.
human
You did what you did, God knows with what motive. I don't care, and I do not mean to inquire. The question I have now to ask is, what is the meaning of _this_?
gpt
Silverbel! she cried;
human
Yes, I received the other cablegram, and, as you say, I rushed home. But why are you here? Have you taken the house for the season, or what?
gpt
Why, we have bought Silverbel, she cried;
human
Rich!
gpt
Mildred, he said slowly,
human
Nonsense,
gpt
The child is dying, repeated Ogilvie,
human
What?
gpt
Restitution, he replied;
human
You--you terrify me, said Mrs. Ogilvie;
gpt
Listen, and I will explain. You knew, Mildred--oh, yes, you knew it well enough--that I went to Australia on no honorable mission. You did not care to inquire, you hid yourself behind a veil of pretended ignorance; but you _knew_--yes, you did, and you dare not deny it--that I went to Queensland to commit a crime. It would implicate others if I were to explain things more fully. I will not implicate others, I will stand alone now, in this bitter moment when the fruit of my sin is brought home to me. I will bear the responsibility of my own sin. I will not drag anybody else down in my fall, but it is sufficient for you to know, Mildred, that the Lombard Deeps Mine as a speculation is worthless.
human
Worthless! she cried,
gpt
Worthless,
human
Then why, why did you send a cablegram to say the mine was full of gold? Lord Grayleigh told me he had received such a message from you.
gpt
I told a dastardly lie, which I am about to put straight.
human
But, but, she began, her lips white, her eyes shining,
gpt
It could, and the directors could reap a fortune by means of it. Do you understand, Mildred, what that implies?
human
Do I understand? she replied.
gpt
No, I was always a poor little woman who had no head for figures.
human
Nevertheless you will, I think, take it in when I explain. You are not quite so stupid as you make yourself out. The directors and I could make a fortune--it would be easy, for there is enough gold in the mine to last for at least six months, and the public are credulous, and can be taken in. We should make our fortunes out of the widows and orphans, out of the savings of the poor clerks, and from the clergyman's tiny stipend. We could sweep in their little earnings, and aggrandize our own wealth and importance, and _lose our souls_. Yes, Mildred, we could, but we won't. I shall prevent that. I have a task before me which will save this foulest crime from being committed.
gpt
What you say can't be true, Phil. Oh, Phil, darling, do have mercy.
human
How?
gpt
Don't do anything so mad, so rash. You always had such a queer, troublesome sort of conscience. Phil, I cannot stand poverty, I cannot stand being dragged down; I must have this place; I have set my heart on it.
human
Is it worth evil?
gpt
What do you mean?
human
Is anything under the sun worth evil?