human
Papa, she said, coming very gently into the room,
gpt
I think that perhaps I was wrong yesterday.
human
Of course you were wrong;--but it doesn't matter now.
gpt
If you wish it I'll sign those papers. I don't suppose Lord Nidderdale means to come any more;--and I'm sure I don't care whether he does or not.
human
What makes you think that, Marie?
gpt
I was out last night at Lady Julia Goldsheiner's, and he was there. I'm sure he doesn't mean to come here any more.
human
Was he uncivil to you?
gpt
O dear no. He's never uncivil. But I'm sure of it. Never mind how. I never told him that I cared for him and I never did care for him. Papa, is there something going to happen?
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Some misfortune! Oh, papa, why didn't you let me marry that other man?
human
He is a penniless adventurer.
gpt
But he would have had this money that I call my money, and then there would have been enough for us all. Papa, he would marry me still if you would let him.
human
Have you seen him since you went to Liverpool?
gpt
Never, papa.
human
Or heard from him?
gpt
Not a line.
human
Then what makes you think he would marry you?
gpt
He would if I got hold of him and told him. And he is a baronet. And there would be plenty of money for us all. And we could go and live in Germany.
human
We could do that just as well without your marrying.
gpt
But I suppose, papa, I am to be considered as somebody. I don't want after all to run away from London, just as if everybody had turned up their noses at me. I like him, and I don't like anybody else.
human
He wouldn't take the trouble to go to Liverpool with you.
gpt
He got tipsy. I know all about that. I don't mean to say that he's anything particularly grand. I don't know that anybody is very grand. He's as good as anybody else.
human
It can't be done, Marie.
gpt
Why can't it be done?
human
There are a dozen reasons. Why should my money be given up to him? And it is too late. There are other things to be thought of now than marriage.
gpt
You don't want me to sign the papers?
human
No;--I haven't got the papers. But I want you to remember that the money is mine and not yours. It may be that much may depend on you, and that I shall have to trust to you for nearly everything. Do not let me find myself deceived by my daughter.
gpt
I won't,--if you'll let me see Sir Felix Carbury once more.
human
I tell you, you little fool, that it is out of the question. Why cannot you believe me? Has your mother spoken to you about your jewels? Get them packed up, so that you can carry them away in your hand if we have to leave this suddenly. You are an idiot to think of that young man. As you say, I don't know that any of them are very good, but among them all he is about the worst. Go away and do as I bid you.
gpt
I dare say you don't remember me, Lady Carbury, Marie said.
human
I am Marie Melmotte.
gpt
Yes, Miss Melmotte, I remember you.
human
Yes;--I am Mr. Melmotte's daughter. How is your son? I hope he is better. They told me he had been horribly used by a dreadful man in the street.
gpt
Sit down, Miss Melmotte. He is getting better. Now Lady Carbury had heard within the last two days from Mr. Broune that
human
with Melmotte. Broune had declared his very strong belief, his thorough conviction, that Melmotte had committed various forgeries, that his speculations had gone so much against him as to leave him a ruined man, and, in short, that the great Melmotte bubble was on the very point of bursting.
gpt
Everybody says that he'll be in gaol before a week is over.
human
I want to see him, said Marie. Lady Carbury, hardly knowing what answer to make, was silent for a while.
gpt
I suppose he told you everything;--didn't he? You know that we were to have been married? I loved him very much, and so I do still. I am not ashamed of coming and telling you.
human
I thought it was all off,
gpt
I never said so. Does he say so? Your daughter came to me and was very good to me. I do so love her. She said that it was all over; but perhaps she was wrong. It shan't be all over if he will be true.
human
I am afraid, she said,
gpt
Why should it not be suitable? They can't take my money away. There is enough for all of us even if papa wanted to live with us;--but it is mine. It is ever so much;--I don't know how much, but a great deal. We should be quite rich enough. I ain't a bit ashamed to come and tell you, because we were engaged. I know he isn't rich, and I should have thought it would be suitable.
human
I understand that your papa is opposed to it,
gpt
Yes, he is;--but papa can't prevent me, and papa can't make me give up the money. It's ever so many thousands a year, I know. If I can dare to do it, why can't he?
human
My son is up-stairs, she said.
gpt
I will go up and speak to him.
human
Tell him I am here and that I have said that I will forgive him everything, and that I love him still, and that if he will be true to me, I will be true to him.
gpt
I couldn't go down to her, said Sir Felix,
human
I don't think she would mind that.
gpt
I couldn't do it. Besides, I don't believe about her money. I never did believe it. That was the real reason why I didn't go to Liverpool.
human
I think I would see her if I were you, Felix. We could find out to a certainty about her fortune. It is evident at any rate that she is very fond of you.
gpt
What's the use of that, if he is ruined?