human
I didn't expect you to be here as Herbert Strange, she said, as though in self-excuse.
gpt
I had to give you a name that was like my own, when I was writing letters about your ticket, and sending checks. I had to do everything to avoid suspicion at a time when Greenport was watched. I thought you might be able to take your own name or something like it--
human
Evie fidgets about it, he continued.
gpt
She puts together the two facts that you and I seem to have known each other, and that my name is identical with your father's. She doesn't know what to make of it; she only thinks 'there's something.' She hasn't said more than that in words, but I see her little mind at work.
human
Evie isn't the only one, she informed him.
gpt
There's Mr. Wayne. He has to be reckoned with. He recognized your voice from the first minute of hearing it, though he hasn't said yet that he knows whose it is. He may do so at any time. He's very surprising at that sort of thing. I can see him listening when you're there, not only to your words, but to your very movements, trying to recapture--
human
The upshot of everything, he said, abruptly,
gpt
You wouldn't be out of harm's way. You can't turn your back on it like that. You alone might be able to slip through, but not if you have Evie.
human
That will be my affair; I'll see to it. I take the full responsibility on myself.
gpt
I couldn't let you. Remember that. You can't marry her. Let me say it plainly--
human
Oh, you've said it plainly enough.
gpt
If I've said it too plainly, it's because you force me. You're so wilful.
human
You mean, I'm so determined. What it amounts to is the clash of your will against mine; and you refuse to see that I can't give way.
gpt
I see that you must give way. It's in the nature of things. It's inevitable. If I didn't know that, do you think I should interfere? Do you think I should dare to run the risk of wrecking your happiness if I could do anything else? If you knew how I hate doing anything at all--
human
But you needn't. You can just let things be.
gpt
I can't let things be--with all I know; and yet it's impossible for me to appeal to any one, except yourself. You put me in a position in which I must either betray you or betray those who trust me. Because I can't do either--
human
I profit by your noble-mindedness. I told you I would. I'm sorry to have to do it--I'll even admit that I'm ashamed of it--and yet there's no other course for me. I'm not taking you at an unfair advantage, because I've concealed nothing from you from the first. You talk about the difficulty of your position, but you don't begin to imagine mine. As if everything else wasn't gall to me, I've got your disapproval to add wormwood.
gpt
It isn't my disapproval; it's simply--the situation. My opinion counts for nothing--
human
It counts for everything with me--and yet I have to ignore it. But, after all, he flung out, bitterly,
gpt
I can stop you ... if you drive me to extremes ... but it wouldn't be by doing ... any of the things you expect.