human
Wait, said Lord Grazian,
gpt
I have an idea. I will question the girl.
human
Well, my child, you must have hot blood to open the window in such ice-cold weather as this.
gpt
I am giving my doves their freedom. They will have nobody to feed them, if I go away to-day or to-morrow.
human
So you know that you are to be married to-day or to-morrow.
gpt
Yes, I know, dear father.
human
And you have stopped tearing your hair out and bursting into tears, and crying out, 'I'd rather die a hundred times than marry him!'
gpt
I will not weep again in your presence, my father.
human
Your nature is entirely changed. Has this been since the Bittse wedding feast? When I tore the cowl from the head of your former lover, and you learned that he was now the lover of a beautiful woman--that changed you, did it?
gpt
That was a frightful moment, father.
human
And you do not love the priest?
gpt
I swear to you, dear father, that I do not love the priest.
human
That would be dreadful. I don't know what I should do with you if you dared even to dream of that. But what's this little bag for?
gpt
I am going to put some little relics in it, that I have kept of my poor mother's; the small medallion with her miniature, a lock of her hair, woven into a flower, and a little silver cross that I used to wear when I was a child. All are to go with me when I am far, far from here.
human
You have changed entirely and become a good daughter. I shall live to give you my blessing.
gpt
Oh, do give me your blessing, if only one word, entreated the girl, as she knelt before her father.
human
Just let me kiss your hand once, and then lay it on my head.
gpt
Only say that you forgive me all the sorrow I have caused you against my will.
human
That's good, I am not angry with you, he growled out, and with his hand stroked the head of his daughter, kneeling before him; it was meant for something like a blessing.
gpt
But now you must consider yourself ready, for the priest is here. To-night we must go to bed early, and get up betimes to-morrow, for to-morrow shall be the wedding.
human
You're on the wrong track, young man, he said;
gpt
I have just shrived the girl. She really is entirely changed. She does not cry at all when I talk about her wedding, and I told her that to-morrow was to be the day. She said, 'Very well,' and kissed my hand very prettily.
human
Then that's the very best proof that she has something else in mind. She has said good-bye because she intends to go away to-night with her lover before the wedding to-morrow. That is why she consented so readily. I know women better than that.
gpt
All the devils of Hell! Suppose that should be so! I will eat fire and drink poison if that's true. Wake that Pole up, even if he is half-dead. One can't manage a thing of this kind alone. Rouse the household.
human
We will do just the opposite. If we give the alarm, they too will learn it and be on their guard. Instead of that, let everybody drink until he cannot waken himself, and we will drug the bears. There is some secret connection with the church--those bells at midnight, and the ghost in the lighted church that your lordship himself has seen and heard,--all that does not happen without the help of man. There is something underneath it all. Just leave the whole matter to me, my Lord; by evening, I will map out such a campaign as to catch Beelzebub himself if he is in the business.