human
I _am_ afraid, she said.
gpt
Only one thing could justify such a risk.
human
That's true; it's what encourages me. You couldn't have made me love you as I do, unless you were able to give love in return.
gpt
If you can declare you care nothing at all for me, that it would cause you no regret if you never saw me again, I'll make the best fight I can with my trouble and leave you alone for good. You will answer honestly?
human
I can't go so far as that, she said in a low voice.
gpt
I should feel regret.
human
Then the rest will follow! Why do you hesitate?
gpt
You seem so sure?
human
I am, of myself.
gpt
The difficulty is that I'm not an isolated individual, but a member of a family, and belong to a race that has its code of rules. I must think of the shock to my parents and my friends; all the pain that any rash act of mine might give to others. They may be wrong, but what they think I feel, in a half-instinctive way, that reasoning can't change. I should have to stand upon defense against my subconscious self.
human
I know, he said gently.
gpt
But the choice is one that many have to make. One must often stand alone. It's true that I have all to gain and you all to risk; but, Beatrice----
human
Beatrice!