human
I've been waiting for you, she said.
gpt
I thought you would never come.
human
You still want to see me after the way I treated you last night?
gpt
Please, don't speak of that. I knew Uncle Josiah would tell you everything.
human
He did tell me all. I want you to forgive me for not taking your word that there was nothing in my past which would prevent our love, or mar it. I didn't realize that you knew what you were saying. I feared that I had no right to love you after your father had spoken as he did of my parentage.
gpt
Not now. I did not understand what Father's obligation to you would involve.
human
Elizabeth, dear, do you mean you won't forgive me?
gpt
I have nothing to forgive in you, Mack. In her eyes was a return of the warmth of love she felt, but her attitude was one of firm resolve.
human
I have come to you to-day because I want to tell you that just for the present we must be only good friends. I've been thinking all night long about you, and now that you know who you are, and what my father has done against your father----
gpt
But that is all past!
human
Not for me. Father ruined your father, and has grown rich on your money. Not till every cent of that is paid back can I think of marrying you.
gpt
But, Elizabeth----
human
Please, Mack, don't make it harder for me than you must. This is not easy, but you will see where it is best, when you have taken time to think it over.
gpt
You have not talked this over with your father, or with Harold?
human
No. Father was ill last night, and Harold was so tired that he has been sleeping all day. It would make no difference what either of them might say. I am doing this because it is right.
gpt
You do not know of the arrangements that are to be made?
human
All I know is that Father owes you the money, and that it is yours and must be paid back to you.
gpt
Elizabeth, there are papers to be drawn up, and----
human
Mack, please don't! I'm tired, and can't stand much. Don't try to change my decision.
gpt
But those papers which Harold is to draw up must alter that decision. That is the only ground on which I shall accept the terms. Your father is to be given all the time he needs to pay me back. At first I flatly refused. I didn't want to take any of his money. But Uncle Josiah made me see that it was the only thing to do.
human
Of course, it is the only thing to do. You are going to let Harold draft those papers because Father must give up what does not belong to him.
gpt
I'll not permit one stroke of the pen unless----
human
But, Mack, you must! This is your duty to make Father----
gpt
Elizabeth, dear, it is not your father's money I want. All that means nothing to me. I am consenting to the arrangement simply because I believe it will be best for him to pay it back. It's you I want!