human
Mary, I do not know whether, after what I have seen, I ought to give the message; and the pleasure I anticipated in meeting you again is destroyed by what I have now witnessed. How disgraceful is it thus to play with a man's feelings--to write to him, assuring him of your regard and constancy, and at the same time encouraging another.
gpt
If I have done wrong, Mr Faithful, said she, after a pause,
human
I have not wronged Tom; what I have written I felt.
gpt
If that is the case, why do you wrong another person? why encourage another young man only to make him unhappy?
human
I have promised him nothing; but why does not Tom come back and look after me? I can't mope here by myself; I have no one to keep company with; my father is always away at the alehouse, and I must have somebody to talk to. Besides, Tom is away, and may be away a long while, and absence cures love in men, although it does not in women.
gpt
It appears then, Mary, that you wish to have two strings to your bow, in case of accident.
human
Should the first string break, a second would be very acceptable, replied Mary.
gpt
But it is always this way, continued she, with increasing warmth;
human
I never can be in a situation which is not right; whenever I do anything which may appear improper, so certain do _you_ make your appearance when least expected and least wished for--as if you were born to be my constant accuser.
gpt
Does not your own conscience accuse you, Mary?
human
Mr Faithful, repeated she, very warmly,
gpt
I did not come here to be your censor, Mary; you are certainly at liberty to act as you please, without my having any right to interfere; but as Tom is my earliest and best friend, so far as his interests and happiness are concerned, I shall carefully watch over them. We have been so long together, and I am so well acquainted with all his feelings, that I really believe that if ever there was a young man sincerely and devotedly attached to a woman, he is so to you; and I will add, that if ever there was a young man who deserved love in return, it is Tom. When I left, not a month back, he desired me to call upon you as soon as I could, and assure you of his unalterable attachment; and I am now about to procure his discharge, that he may be able to return. All his thoughts are upon this point, and he is now waiting with the utmost impatience the arrival of it, that he may again be in your company; you can best judge whether his return will or will not be a source of happiness.
human
Then he will soon be back again, and I shall see him. Indeed, his return will be no source of unhappiness, if I can make him happy-- indeed, it shall not, Mr Faithful; but pray don't tell him of my foolish conduct, pray don't--why make him unhappy?--I entreat you not to do it. I will not do so again. Promise me, Jacob, will you?
gpt
Mary, I will never be a mischief-maker; but recollect I exact the performance of your promise.
human
Oh, and I will keep it, now that I know he will soon be home. I can, I think I can--I'm sure I can wait a month or two without flirting. But I do wish that I was not left so much alone. I wish Tom was at home to take care of me, for there is no one else. I can't take care of myself.
gpt
Now, you will see how wise and prudent I shall be.
human
Nonsense, Stapleton, that won't do with me.
gpt
Jacob, as I'm alive! Didn't know you in your long togs--thought you was a gentleman wanting a boat. Well, I hardly need say how glad I am to see you after so long; that's no more than human natur'. And how's Tom? Have you seen Mary?
human
; and that as for Tom wishing to be at home and seeing her again, that also was nothing but