human
Miss Lafitte, what is the cause of your aversion to my cousin?
gpt
Do you believe in premonitions?
human
No
gpt
Why should they not be true? Our thoughts arise from the same source as our actions; or, rather, there must be a creative thought for every separate act. Now, whether the act follows its producing impulse by moments, days or years, the fact remains the same.
human
So that a man can tell before he goes into battle whether he will be brave or cowardly?
gpt
Certainly: we are conscious of our disposition, of our general manner of thinking, and consequently can judge of our course of action.
human
No, for though you know your own qualities, you can seldom force events to fit them. As long as he can avoid danger the coward may be brave, but if danger is thrust upon him, off he runs.
gpt
Of course you have presentiments?
human
Yes.
gpt
And they always come true?
human
Can you predict for others?
gpt
Not unless I love them: I can for my father. Either you must know a person well, or have naturally a great deal of penetration, insight, quick observation. Give it what name you please, it is the gift of seers, by which they interpret the marks that character leaves upon face and form.
human
When you fall in love--
gpt
I shall not do that, she interrupted:
human
I have been warned.
gpt
How? Tell me about it.
human
I do not see as clearly as some: I only vaguely feel that a certain occurrence will bring a certain catastrophe. If I love, I shall die.
gpt
Nonsense! And is that the reason you avoided gentlemen's society?
human
Yes. I was afraid, really afraid;
gpt
And you are so no longer?
human
After I knew you I saw there was no danger in simply being acquainted with gentlemen.
gpt
I am glad you have told me this. What will you think when I say that what you call presentiments are common to every delicately organized person? They are purely physical; an indigestion, a change in the weather or fatigue will cause them; a dose of medicine or a night's repose will cure them. The brain becomes indisposed with the rest of the body, but to allow such morbid fancies to influence you is preposterous.
human
They are prophetic: I have often proved it.
gpt
Mere coincidences. My advice is to begin to fight them at once. In regard to my cousin--
human
She has already brought me trouble. I knew it would be so when she crossed my path the other day. Look at my accident.
gpt
That might have happened to any one. Why did you run away from me?
human
It was an impulse I could not restrain.
gpt
I hope the oracle has not been traducing me?
human
I have had no premonitions lately: when I was suffering I could think of nothing. But you have been so kind it seems impossible you should bring me harm.
gpt
I would not for the world,
human
I am drifting blindly, and my mind misgives me that all is not right. I may be walking toward danger unaware. I believe I am, she continued dreamily,
gpt
You had better fall in love than become a monomaniac, exclaimed the young man with more warmth than the occasion seemed to warrant.
human
If your premonitions have ceased, it is evidence of an improved state of health, and as your physician I forbid you to indulge in them.
gpt
Doctors think they can treat everything, she said impatiently; then continued in an explanatory tone:
human
I inherit my foreknowledge from my mother, who was a gypsy celebrated in her tribe for reading the future. You see that the faculty is hereditary with me, and a dose of medicine will not cure it. My poor mother died at my birth: she was very young and beautiful. My father was past forty when he married. I have never spoken of it before, as he dislikes it to be mentioned. But you look like a man who could keep a secret, and I want to prove that I am not as foolish as you think.