human
These dim blown birds beneath an alien sky.
gpt
I've been amusing myself with drawing since you left, sir, and I've produced this,
human
Believe me, I have a profound respect for the artistic talent. I myself once had--ah! He sharply paused as he saw the pencilled head, and stood looking fixedly at it. Presently he turned slowly, came to the portrait on the wall, and compared it with that in his hand. Then, with a troubled face, he said:
gpt
You have much talent, but it is--it is too old--much too old--and very sorrowful.
human
I intended the face to show age and sorrow, Mr. Bachelor. Would not the original of that have both?
gpt
She had sorrow--she had sorrow, but, and he looked sadly at the sketch again,
human
But has she not sorrow now, sir?
gpt
Such beauty, such presence! I was but five-and-thirty then. There was a slight pause, and then, with his hand touching the young man's shoulder, Louis Bachelor continued:
human
You are young; you have a good heart; I know men. You have the sympathy of the artist--why should I not speak to you? I have been silent about it so long. You have brought the past back, I know not how, so vividly! I dream here, I work here; men come with merchandise and go again; they only bind my tongue; I am not of them: but you are different, as it seems to me, and young. God gave me a happy youth. My eyes were bright as yours, my heart as fond. You love-- is it not so? Ah, you smile and blush like an honest man. Well, so much the more I can speak now. God gave me then strength and honour and love --blessed be His name! And then He visited me with sorrow, and, if I still mourn, I have peace, too, and a busy life.
gpt
Then I was a soldier. She was my world. Ah, true, love is a great thing--a great thing! She had a brother. They two with their mother were alone in the world, and we were to be married. One day at Gibraltar I received a letter from her saying that our marriage could not be; that she was going away from England; that those lines were her farewell; and that she commended me to the love of Heaven. Such a letter it was--so saintly, so unhappy, so mysterious! When I could get leave I went to England. She--they--had gone, and none knew whither; or, if any of her friends knew, none would speak. I searched for her everywhere. At last I came to Australia, and I am here, no longer searching, but waiting, for there is that above us! His lips moved as if in prayer.
human
And this is all I have left of her, except memory,
gpt
Sir, I respect, and I hope I understand, your confidence. Then, a little nervously:
human
Might I ask her name?
gpt
Barbara--Barbara Golding.