human
But, upon my word, I am quite afraid,
gpt
Of what?
human
Of you. Such a determined young woman, as you are. If I make you my wife, I know who will be master.
gpt
My dear, she said quietly,
human
Who told you all this?
gpt
No one. I have ample time to think, and--I think.
human
You asked me to be quiet, so that you could think, he remarked lazily;
gpt
You may ask; but I am not sure if I will reply.
human
See here, my dearest --Cyril struggled to his knees, and took her hand firmly within his own--
gpt
It will never clash with yours,
human
Why not?
gpt
Because you will always wish to do what I desire, and I will always be anxious to act as you indicate. You have your line of life, and I have mine, but the two are one.
human
Humph! At school I learned that two parallel straight lines never met.
gpt
Ah, Euclid was a bachelor, and ignorant. They meet in marriage, for then the two lines blend into one. What's the matter?
human
A sudden flash almost blinded me. Some one is heliographing hereabouts. He stood up, considerably taller than the already tall corn, and stared in the direction of the manor, shading his eyes with one slim hand.
gpt
There's someone on the roof there and----
human
Oh, sit down, do sit down, she implored.
gpt
It must be my father on his quarter-deck. The flash, perhaps, came from his telescope, and if he sees you--do sit down.
human
Dearest, your father cannot harm me in any way. I have heard of his quarter-deck. I suppose he has it to remind him of the bridge of a steamer when he was skipper.
gpt
I hope he hasn't seen you, said Bella anxiously,
human
Let him come, and then I shall ask him to let me marry you.
gpt
He will refuse. He wants me to marry Mr. Pence.
human
What! Lister frowned.
gpt
That half-baked psalm-singer? What nonsense, and what cheek. The idea of that Pence creature aspiring to your hand. I wish we could marry at once. But---- He paused, and shook his head. Lines appeared on his forehead, and a vexed look in his eyes.
human
It's impossible,
gpt
Why is it impossible?
human
My dear, I am very poor, and just make enough to keep my head above water. Besides, there is another reason.
gpt
What is it?
human
I can't tell you, he said in low voice, and becoming suddenly pale;
gpt
Cyril. Bella wreathed her arms around his neck.
human
You have a secret. I have noticed several times that you have been worried. Sometimes you forget everything when we are together, and your face becomes like that of an old man. I must know your secret, so that I can help you.
gpt
God forbid. Lister removed her arms, and grew even paler than he was.
human
The kindest way I can act towards you, Bella, is to go out of your life, and never see you again.
gpt
Cyril, how can you when I love you so?
human
Would you love me if you knew of my troubles?
gpt
Try me. Try me,
human
There are some things which can't be told to a woman,
gpt
Tell them to a comrade, then. I wish to be your comrade as well as your wife. And I love you so that anything you say will only make me love you the more. Tell me, Cyril, so that I can prove my love.
human
Upon my soul, I believe you'd go to hell with me,
gpt
Yes, I would. I demand, by the love which exists between us, to be told this secret that troubles you so greatly.
human
I cannot tell you everything--yet, he remarked, after a painful pause,
gpt
One thousand pounds. But for what purpose?
human
You must not ask me that, Bella,
gpt
Then I trust you not at all.
human
Oh!
gpt
My dearest, if I could I would. But I can't, and I am unable just now to give you the reason. Save that I am a journalist, and your devoted lover, you know nothing about me. Later I shall tell you my whole story, and how I am situated. Then you can marry me or not, as you choose.
human
I shall marry you, in any case,
gpt
Do you think that I am a poor, weak fool, who demands perfection in a man. Whatever your sins may be, to me you are the man I have chosen to be my husband. We are here, in the corn-fields, and you just now called me Ruth. Then, like Ruth, I can say that 'your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.'
human
Dearest and best, he kissed her ardently,
gpt
Is it a woman?
human
No, you jealous angel, it is not a woman. The thousand pounds I must have, to save--but that is neither here nor there. You must think me but a tardy lover not to carry you off, forwith, and---- he rose, with Bella in his arms--
gpt
Do carry me off, she whispered, clinging to him.
human
Let us have a Sabine wedding. As your wife, you can tell me all your secrets.
gpt
Bella, Bella, I cannot. I am desperately poor.
human
So am I, and if I marry you my father will leave all his money to my aunt, for he told Mr. Pence so. But what does poverty matter, so long as we love one another with all our hearts and souls.
gpt
Oh! Cyril clenched his hands desperately.
human
Do not tempt me. Only one thousand pounds stands between us. If I had that I could make you my wife within a week. I would steal, or murder, or do anything in the world to get the money and remove the barrier. But --he pushed her away almost brutally, and frowned--
gpt
Until when, Cyril?
human
Until Destiny is kinder.
gpt
You will tell me----
human
I tell you nothing. Give me one kiss, and then good-bye for----