human
Don't cry, little one, said Maurice, soothingly, drawing her further within the recesses of the garden, and away from the obnoxious quince hedge, which might shelter prying eyes.
gpt
We are going to have such a happy time together now.
human
Now, yes, she answered.
gpt
But--after? Nothing but misery.
human
Not a bit of it. We can go on waiting. Patience--that's the word. When I used to get my `cast' hung up or otherwise tangled while fishing, instead of blowing off a volley of cuss words, and tearing and tugging at the stuff, I made it a rule to remark aloud, `Pazienza!' That answered, kept one in a cool and even mind, and saved further tangle and a lot of cussing. Well, that must be our watchword--`Pazienza!'
gpt
I have got you now, at all events, she murmured, pressing his arm.
human
But now, don't you see why I met you as a perfect stranger last night?
gpt
Not altogether. It annoyed me a good bit--in fact, worried me all the evening. I should have thought it would have been better to have let them know we were old acquaintances, at any rate. They would have left us more to ourselves.
human
Not a bit of it. They would have set up a romance on the spot. As soon as a woman gets wind of a romance, she can't for the life of her, with the best intentions in the world, help watching its progress. It would have been a case of every one hurrying to _ecarter_ themselves as soon as they saw as together, doing it, too, in the usual blundering and clumsy manner. I know it all so well--I've seen it so often, and, I may as well add, gone through it.
gpt
That was the reason, was it? Well, you do know a thing or two, little one, he said admiringly.
human
But look here. We must snatch a little time together as often as we can. We'll make Selwood get up rides and expeditions, and pair off, lose ourselves by accident, and all that sort of thing. But mind, I can't go on talking to you day after day, only as one of a crowd. I can't stand it. We must manage somehow.
gpt
Do you think I am a bit less anxious to than you? But, Maurice darling, do mind what I'm going to say. You must be on your guard before people, you always were such an awful old blunderer. You mustn't go letting slip any `Violets,' for instance, and you're quite as likely to as not.
human
I'm not going to let one slip at the present moment, anyway, he replied with a laugh.
gpt
And so you thought you were never going to see me again?
human
Ah, I have sometimes feared so. The agonies I have gone through! I know what you are going to say--that it was my own doing. I did it to test you, Maurice. Six months is not a long time, but ah, I have at times thought I should die long before it was over! Day after day, week after week, no news, not a word from you, or even of you. And every one here thinks I am utterly heartless. I never try to undeceive them; in fact, I rather encourage them in the idea.