human
I'll light the gas, Elizabeth said, rising. But he caught her wrist.
gpt
No! No! there's no use lighting up now. As he spoke he pulled her down on his knee.
human
Elizabeth, is there no hope? he said;
gpt
She was silent. He leaned his forehead on her shoulder for a moment, and she heard that dreadful sound--a man's weeping. Then suddenly, roughly, he flung his arms about her, and kissed her violently--her lips, her eyes, her neck; the next moment he pushed her from his knee.
human
Why, why did you sit here in the dark to-night? I never knew you to sit in the dark! He got on his feet, leaving her, standing amazed and offended, her hair ruffled, the lace about her throat in disorder; at the window, his back turned to her, he flung over his shoulder:
gpt
Look here--you can go. I won't hold you any longer. I suppose your uncle can fix it up; some damned legal quibble will get you out of it. I--I'll do my part.
human
He says, Mrs. Richie told Robert Ferguson,
gpt
Elizabeth's uncle said, after his first astonishment. Then, in spite of himself, he was sorry for Blair.
human
I suppose he's hard hit, he said, grudgingly,
gpt
Robert, how can you be so unjust? she reproached him.
human
Oh, perhaps he will be a man yet! How proud his mother would be.
gpt
My dear Helena, one swallow doesn't make a summer. Then, a little ashamed of his harshness, he added,
human
No, he'll never be very much of a person; but he's his mother's son, so he can't be all bad; he'll just wander round Europe, with Nannie tagging on behind, enjoying himself more or less harmlessly.
gpt
Robert, she said, softly,
human
I'm not sure that Elizabeth will accept his sacrifice.
gpt
What! Not accept it? Nonsense! Of course she'll accept it. I should have doubts of her sanity if she didn't. If Blair had been half as much of a man as his mother, he'd have made the 'sacrifice,' as you call it, long ago. Helena, you're too extreme. Duty is well enough, but don't run it into the ground.
human
Helena, you _know_ she ought to leave him!
gpt
If every woman left unpleasant conditions--mind, he isn't unkind or wicked; what would become of us, Robert?
human
Well, David will come to his own at last! I wonder how soon after the thing is fixed up (_if_ it can be fixed up) they can marry?
gpt
You think they won't?
human
I hope not. Oh, I hope not!
gpt
Why not?
human
Because I don't want them, just for their own happiness, to do what seems to me wrong.
gpt
Wrong! If the law permits it, you can't say 'wrong.'
human
she said timidly; then tried to explain that it seemed to her that no one, for his own happiness, had a right to do a thing which would injure an ideal by which the rest of us live;
gpt
I don't express it very well,
human
That's high talk; well enough for angels; but no men and mighty few women are angels. I, he interrupted himself hurriedly,
gpt
I don't like angel women myself.
human
And besides that, she said,
gpt
Helena, he said, gently,
human
I would rather. There was only one way; I ... told them, Robert.
gpt
You are an angel, after all,
human
I sha'n't try to influence either David or Elizabeth, she said;
gpt
It won't be, he told her, dryly;
human
Oh, you can smile; but, my dear Helena, the apron-string won't do for a man who is thirty years old. Yes, they'll do as they choose, in spite of either you or me--and _I_ know what it will be!
gpt
Poor Blair, she said, sighing.
human
Robert, if she leaves him you will be kind to him, won't you? He's never had a chance--
gpt
Helena, don't be obstinate any longer. We have so little time left! I don't ask you to love me, but just marry me, Helena.
human
Oh, my dear Robert--
gpt
Will you?
human
If I lived here, she said breathlessly,
gpt
Is that the reason you won't say yes?
human
Will you?
gpt
No.
human
Why, he cried,
gpt
Robert, please--
human
Life has been good to me, after all, he said, joyously:
gpt
I've got what I don't deserve!