human
Melinza sets his own desires in the scale, and they outweigh all politic scruples. He has sworn that so long as I stand between him and you, so long will Señor Rivers remain in the castle dungeon,--unless Death steps kindly in to set your lover free.
gpt
Poor little one!
human
You pity me, señora! What is your pity worth?
gpt
I have a way of escape to offer,
human
Escape for him? Or for me?
gpt
For both. Now listen! There is but one way to relax Melinza's hold on Señor Rivers. He would exchange him willingly for you.
human
Better for us both to die!
gpt
I would sooner kill you with my own hands than give you up to him,
human
Then what do you mean, señora?
gpt
I mean, Margarita mia, that you should feign a tenderness for him and let him think that it is I who would keep two loving souls apart.
human
What! when I have shown him naught but dislike in all these months? He could never be so witless as to believe in such a sudden transformation.
gpt
Such is the vanity of man, said Doña Orosia,
human
What would it advantage me if I did deceive him?
gpt
He would then cease to oppose the liberation of all the other prisoners.
human
But what of my fate, señora?
gpt
Leave that in my hands, little one,--I am not powerless. I give thee my word he shall never have thee. At the last moment we shall undeceive him
human
So! I exclaimed.
gpt
This will be your revenge! And you would bribe me, with my dear love's freedom, to act a part in it! To lie for you; to play at love where I feel only loathing; to sully my lips with feigned caresses; and to make a mockery of the holiest thing in life!
human
Is your Englishman not worth some sacrifice?