human
Marie, he began,
gpt
I spoke to you the other day about some property which for certain purposes was placed in your name just as we were leaving Paris.
human
Yes, papa.
gpt
You were such a child then,--I mean when we left Paris,--that I could hardly explain to you the purpose of what I did.
human
I understood it, papa.
gpt
You had better listen to me, my dear. I don't think you did quite understand it. It would have been very odd if you had, as I never explained it to you.
human
You wanted to keep it from going away if you got into trouble.
gpt
I wanted to lay aside a large sum of money which should not be liable to the ordinary fluctuations of commercial enterprise.
human
So that nobody could get at it.
gpt
You are a little too quick, my dear.
human
Marie, why can't you let your papa speak?
gpt
But of course, my dear, continued Melmotte,
human
I had no idea of putting the money beyond my own reach. Such a transaction is very common; and in such cases a man naturally uses the name of some one who is very near and dear to him, and in whom he is sure that he can put full confidence. And it is customary to choose a young person, as there will then be less danger of the accident of death. It was for these reasons, which I am sure that you will understand, that I chose you. Of course the property remained exclusively my own.
gpt
But it is really mine,
human
No, miss; it was never yours, said Melmotte, almost bursting out into anger, but restraining himself.
gpt
How could it become yours, Marie? Did I ever make you a gift of it?
human
But I know that it did become mine,--legally.
gpt
By a quibble of law,--yes; but not so as to give you any right to it. I always draw the income.
human
But I could stop that, papa,--and if I were married, of course it would be stopped.
gpt
As we are thinking of your marriage, he said,
human
Wait a moment, papa.
gpt
Why should we wait?
human
I don't think I will sign them.
gpt
Why not sign them? You can't really suppose that the property is your own. You could not even get it if you did think so.
human
I don't know how that may be; but I had rather not sign them. If I am to be married, I ought not to sign anything except what he tells me.
gpt
He has no authority over you yet. I have authority over you. Marie, do not give more trouble. I am very much pressed for time. Let me call in Mr. Croll.
human
No, papa,
gpt
rather than to yield in this or that direction. The lower jaw squared itself, and the teeth became set, and the nostrils of his nose became extended,--and Marie began to prepare herself to be
human
But he reminded himself that there was another game which he had proposed to play before he resorted to anger and violence. He would tell her how much depended on her compliance. Therefore he relaxed the frown,--as well as he knew how, and softened his face towards her, and turned again to his work.
gpt
I am sure, Marie, that you will not refuse to do this when I explain to you its importance to me. I must have that property for use in the city to-morrow, or--I shall be ruined.
human
Oh!
gpt
It is true. These harpies have so beset me about the election that they have lowered the price of every stock in which I am concerned, and have brought the Mexican Railway so low that they cannot be sold at all. I don't like bringing my troubles home from the city; but on this occasion I cannot help it. The sum locked up here is very large, and I am compelled to use it. In point of fact it is necessary to save us from destruction.
human
But you told me just now you wanted it because I was going to be married,
gpt
I think you misunderstood me, Marie. I meant you to understand that settlements must be made, and that of course I must get my own property back into my own hands before anything of that kind can be done. I tell you once more, my dear, that if you do not do as I bid you, so that I may use that property the first thing to-morrow, we are all ruined. Everything will be gone.
human
This can't be gone,
gpt
Marie,--do you wish to see me disgraced and ruined? I have done a great deal for you.
human
You turned away the only person I ever cared for,
gpt
Marie, how can you be so wicked? Do as your papa bids you,
human
No! said Melmotte.
gpt
She does not care who is ruined, because we saved her from that reprobate.
human
She will sign them now,
gpt
No;--I will not sign them, said Marie.
human
If I am to be married to Lord Nidderdale as you all say, I am sure I ought to sign nothing without telling him. And if the property was once made to be mine, I don't think I ought to give it up again because papa says that he is going to be ruined. I think that's a reason for not giving it up again.
gpt
It isn't yours to give. It's mine,
human
Then you can do what you like with it without my signing,
gpt
Marie, he said,
human
if he liked. He repeated his question in the pathetic strain.
gpt
Will you do this now,--to save us all from ruin?
human
No; she said, looking up into his face as though watching for the personal attack which would be made upon her;
gpt
Marie!
human
No; she said.
gpt
I don't think I ought,--and I won't.
human
You won't! shouted Melmotte. She merely shook her head.
gpt
Do you mean that you, my own child, will attempt to rob your father just at the moment you can destroy him by your wickedness?
human
Nec pueros coram populo Medea trucidet.
gpt
Let not Medea with unnatural rage Slaughter her mangled infants on the stage.
human
Ah, Melmotte, tu la tueras! And then she tried to drag him from his prey.
gpt
Will you sign them now?