human
Write, then, he said,
gpt
We shall see.
human
And am I still to be your shuttlecock? he said hoarsely.
gpt
Have pity, Bice, have pity! Such love as mine deserves some return--
human
It deserves to find love, I know, and that is what I have not got to give. I am very sorry, Oliver, only I must be true with you, at all costs.
gpt
You are rather late in your resolves,
human
I have thought and hoped, she said, looking down,
gpt
You were right! he cried vehemently.
human
Think so still, Bice, my darling, my own! You do not know, how should you? Marry me, and I will teach you to love me. I have no fear, no doubt.
gpt
But now I know, she said, going on as if he had not spoken,
human
It is easy to say `Do not.' Do you suppose our feelings are so under control that we can master them at pleasure? he retorted with bitterness.
gpt
You let me hope, you hold the cup almost to my lips, and then tell me not to be sorry when it is dashed away. Who has been teaching you to play fast and loose, Bice? Who has shaken your faith in your friends? When will one of them do what I have done, what I am ready to do? Has your mother told you that she has borrowed money from me to pay her debts, because she did not doubt--
human
That is not true!
gpt
Is it not? Ask her.
human
I will pay it,
gpt
That is folly.
human
I will pay it,
gpt
Do so, he said after a moment's pause. And then he added,
human
Do not marry him if you do not love him. She looked him full in the face.
gpt
Let me pass, she said,
human
I can give you no other answer.
gpt
If you write to Clive, it had better be without delay,
human
I'll write to-morrow morning. And then she turned and put out her hand.
gpt
Thank you for letting me write, Oliver.
human
I dare not advise you to build upon it, but you can try, he said.
gpt
Yes, by all means try.
human
If you have any letters for the early post, he said,
gpt
I will take them, I am going into Florence.
human
Oh, thank you very much. I had meant to send little 'Tista.
gpt
All. Thank you again. That letter is a weight off my mind. I am sure he will answer it.
human
I fancy not, but, as I said, one can but try. Nothing more? Rest in the garden, Bice, and do not go again to the vineyards. You look tired and pale. Such walks as yesterday do you no good.
gpt
Rest! she repeated impatiently.
human
You talk as if one could turn all the thoughts out of one's head whenever one liked. That might be rest.
gpt
I wish you would let me do your thinking for you.