human
Our lamentations over Charteris were rather premature, weren't they?
gpt
How could you mislead me so dreadfully about him?
human
Mislead you? Why, I never said a word that wasn't true!
gpt
I suppose not, she admitted unwillingly.
human
But you dwelt only on his good points, and I--I almost thought I had misjudged him. But when I saw him there was no difference. He brought a smell of smoke into the room with him, and talked slang, just as he always did.
gpt
But why should one recall obvious things like that? Would you have had me try to belittle him to you--if you must think worse of a man for such trifles as smoking and using slang?
human
Trifles in your estimation, perhaps; not in mine.
gpt
Well, at any rate it shows you can't care for him, said Gerrard despairingly,
human
I consider that remark extremely rude and uncalled-for, said Honour, with spirit.
gpt
You have no right whatever to pass judgment upon my feelings.
human
Pardon me, but how can I help it? Perhaps you mean that if Bob left off slang and smoking he would be all right?
gpt
And if I did, how would it concern you?
human
Oh, merely that I think you ought to tell him, or let me.
gpt
You think he would do it?
human
Like winkin'. Oh, I _beg_ your pardon. I would, I know, just as I would do any mortal thing you cared to ask me. Ask me, Honour. Can't you give me a bit of hope?
gpt
How can I? You would not be satisfied--either of you--if I said I would marry you just to escape from unpleasantness of this kind. I mean --hastily, as she caught sight of his face--
human
I dislike so much hurting people's feelings, but with you and Mr Charteris I seem able to do nothing else. If you would only both take my answer as final, and let us all be happy and friendly together as we were before this idea came into your minds!
gpt
We weren't, said Gerrard doggedly.
human
I was introduced to you two days before Charteris was, and all that time I was in terror, guessing what would happen as soon as he saw you. And sure enough, he raved about you all night, until I put a stop to it by throwing things across the room.
gpt
Please don't tell me things of that kind, said Honour, her colour rising.
human
They do not interest me. You have a great influence over Mr Charteris. Why not use it to make him see things sensibly, and give up these attempts?
gpt
Because I wouldn't do it myself. If you could say that you felt the least kindness towards one of us, then the other would withdraw--or towards any one else, then both of us, I hope, would do the proper thing and leave him in peace. But while there's still a fair chance--why, I shall hold on, and so will old Bob, if I know anything of him.
human
That is exactly what Mr Charteris said, remarked Honour musingly.
gpt
Well, I am very sorry, and I wish I could get you to look at things more sensibly, but really it is not my fault.
human
You can't even hold out any hope for the future?
gpt
It would merely be unkindness if I did. If you would only----
human
No, please, that's enough,
gpt
By the look of gloom on your ingenuous countenance, Hal----
human
Oh, _bus, bus_[1]! said Gerrard wearily.
gpt
Yes, old boy, we're in the same boat, as before.
human
There's one comfort, she won't get her bachelor Governor-General for some time, remarked Charteris;
gpt
I hate stale jokes!
human
You seem to have come off rather worse than I did. Look here, Hal; I'm going to propose a modification of our agreement. I've had first try this time, and next time you shall have it, without drawing lots. It's precious hard on you, if you are the right man, that you should only be able to approach her when she's already been rubbed the wrong way by my impudent pretensions.
gpt
I ain't the right man. No one is. But you're a good chap, Bob, and I'm not too proud to accept with thanks. At this moment, I confess it, I don't feel as if I should ever summon up courage to come to the scratch again, but no doubt it'll be different in a year or so.
human
I believe you, my boy--especially when you know that if you don't take your chance, I shall. But what stately form comes this way? Our Mr James, as I live!
gpt
I happened to be passing, and I thought I would look in to tell you that it has been settled about Agpur, said James Antony, depositing his massive form in the chair vacated for him.
human
What! ain't there room for me unless you stand, Charteris? Shocking the luxury in which you young fellows live nowadays! Well, I'm glad the business is finished somehow, since my brother will perhaps be contented to trot peaceably back to the hills, but I can't say that your friend Sher Singh has got anything like his deserts. He is to be recognised and, within reasonable limits, supported, provided he fulfils certain not very onerous conditions. Nisbet is to visit Agpur City and settle the preliminaries of the frontier business and the affair of the Rani Gulab Kur's jointure, and will probably remain there as Resident. Well, well! if Sher Singh ain't loyal to us in future, he ought to be!
gpt
I hope Nisbet will have a strong escort, sir,