human
Theodosia, look! said the young man, suddenly swinging a gesture about him.
gpt
Did I not say right? It is Eden! Ah, what a pity it is that Eden must ever be the same--a serpent--repentance--and farewell! Yet it was so beautiful.
human
A sinless Eden, sir.
gpt
No! I will not lie--I will not say that I do not love you more than ever. That is my sin; so I must go away. This must be our last meeting--I am fortunate that it came by chance today.
human
Going away--where, then, my friend?
gpt
Into the West. It always has called me. Ah, if only I had remained in the Indian country yonder, where I belonged, and never made my ride to New York--to learn that I had come too late! But the West still is there--the wilderness still exists to welcome such as me!
human
But you will--you will come back again?
gpt
It is in the lap of the gods. I do not know or care. But my plans are all arranged. Mr. Jefferson and I have agreed that it is almost time to start. You see, Theodosia, I am now back from my schooling. You behold in me, madam, a scientist! At least I am competent to read by the sun and stars, can reckon longitude and latitude--as one must, to journey into the desert yonder. If only I dared orient my soul as well!
human
You would never doubt my faith in my husband.
gpt
No! Of course, you love your husband. I could not look at you a second time if you did not.
human
You are a good man, Meriwether Lewis!
gpt
Do not say it! I am a man accursed of evil passions--the most unhappy of all men. There is nothing else, I say, in all the world that I fear but my love for you. Tell me it will not last--tell me it will change--tell me that I shall forget! I should not believe you--but tell me that. Does a man never forget? Success--for others; happiness--for someone else. My mother said that was to be my fate. What did she mean?
human
She meant, Meriwether Lewis, that you were a great man, a great soul! Only a man of noble soul could speak as you have spoken to me. We women, in our souls, love something noble and good and strong. Then we imagine someone like that. We believe, or try to believe, or say that we believe; but always----
gpt
And a woman may divide not love, only love of love itself?
human
I shall love your future, and shall watch it always, she replied, coloring.
gpt
You will be a great man, and there will be a great place for you.
human
And what then?
gpt
Do not ask what then. You ask if men never change. Alas, they do, all too frequently! Do not deny the imperious way of nature. Only--remember me as long as you can, Meriwether Lewis.