human
Are you not pleased to see me, Cyril?
gpt
I am very pleased, he returned gravely, and pushed forward a chair.
human
Will you not be seated?
gpt
Not until you explain why you receive me in this way, she declared indignantly.
human
You send for me, and I come at once only to find displeased looks.
gpt
Our last interview explains my looks, Bella.
human
No, it doesn't, she cried, up in arms at once;
gpt
I admitted my fault in suspecting you then, and asked your pardon. You left me without a kiss, and--and---- She stopped with an angry gesture.
human
It seems to me that I am the one who has the right to be displeased.
gpt
No, said Lister, decidedly.
human
I love you very dearly, as you know; but----
gpt
How can I tell that you love me dearly?
human
My desire to meet you again shows that I do. Many a man would have left you for ever on learning, as I did, your cruel suspicions. You have no right to be displeased, as you said a moment since. I am the wronged person, for if you really loved me you would believe nothing against me.
gpt
I do not; I do not.
human
But you did.
gpt
Only for a single moment. Oh! --Bella uttered a cry of despair--
human
I am only a human being, and I saw you--as I thought--entering the house. I knew that on my account you had quarrelled with my father, so what could I think but that you had killed him? I don't pretend to be an angel. She broke off and sat down, pressing her hands hard together, then looked up with feigned self-control.
gpt
We discussed all this before, she said coldly,
human
No. I asked you here to learn from your own lips that you believe me to be guiltless.
gpt
I do. I swear I do. Bella rose in her excitement.
human
And I ask your pardon for my wicked suspicions.
gpt
Bella! He sprang forward and caught her hands within his own.
human
Then you really and truly love me?
gpt
If you had gone away, she breathed faintly in his ear,
human
I should have died.
gpt
My darling, he whispered, smoothing her hair,
human
I love you too dearly to leave you. I ask your pardon for my harsh words. On the face of it, I don't see what you could do but suspect me. It was unreasonable for me to ask you to do otherwise. That you believe my mere word, in spite of the strong evidence against me, shows that you love me as dearly and strongly as I love you. So far, all that is right. We trust one another.
gpt
Wholly. Entirely. To the death we trust one another.
human
That is well. Cyril sat down in the arm-chair, and drew Bella on to his knees.
gpt
Unity is strength. With you by my side I am not afraid.
human
Then you have been afraid?
gpt
Of losing your love--yes. But now I am satisfied on that point, there is another thing that makes me afraid.
human
What is it?
gpt
I may be accused of this murder. Other people may have seen me, as you saw me, dear.
human
Then it _was_ you?
gpt
No, no! I have explained myself. If necessary, I can put forward an _alibi_.
human
Who was the man then?
gpt
I can't tell you that.
human
Then you know?
gpt
I can't be sure. I think--that is, I fancy--Bella, don't ask me anything just now. Later I may be able to explain.
human
And you will explain?
gpt
If it be possible. Remember, I said that I _might_ be able to explain, but of this I cannot be certain.
human
I do not understand, sighed the girl, seating herself again.
gpt
Cyril, has this matter anything to do with you?
human
The matter of the murder?
gpt
Yes. I don't mean to ask if you are guilty, as I know you are not. But are you connected in any way with the matter?
human
No, he rejoined promptly,
gpt
He paused, looking paler than ever, and his face became peaked and haggard.
human
Don't ask me anything yet,
gpt
I am willing to trust you, dear, said Bella quietly,
human
Other people?
gpt
Yes. Some one else did see you on that evening.
human
The person saw my double, corrected Cyril.
gpt
I was in London, as I told you, and as I can prove. Who is this person?
human
Silas Pence.
gpt
Ah! Lister's hands clenched.
human
He hates me because you are to be my wife. He will go to the police.
gpt
I don't think so, said Bella slowly.
human
He threatened to go, but as yet he has held his tongue.
gpt
Why, when he hates me so?
human
I think--I think, said Bella slowly,
gpt
Do you suspect him?
human
Not of the murder, she replied promptly;
gpt
she added with emphasis,
human
But surely you do not connect a harmless man, like Pence, with the crime?
gpt
I say nothing, because I know nothing, Cyril. But if Mr. Pence is entirely innocent, why does he not accuse you, whom he hates.
human
He has no grounds to go upon, dear.
gpt
He thinks that he has, she answered,
human
It is strange, assented Lister.
gpt
However, if he does accuse me, I can prove an _alibi_.
human
But what about your double?
gpt
I can say nothing on that point at present.
human
When will you explain?
gpt
I can't say; sooner or later. Lister, with his hands in his pockets, looked out of the window as though to avoid further questioning. This behaviour puzzled Bella, as she felt sure that Cyril could tell her much if inclined to do so. But it was odd that he should so decline. She abruptly reverted to an earlier thought in her mind.
human
You did not tell me that you had a negro servant called Durgo.
gpt
I have no servant, negro or otherwise, he said in a decisive tone.
human
Why do you say that?
gpt
You say that this man recognised my portrait. In that case I can guess