human
I congratulate you!
gpt
For what?
human
For your betrothal.
gpt
It appears, Mr. Atkins, that you have chosen to play the spy.
human
Possibly! But you ought to know, Henry, that I do not belong to those disinterested persons from whom the affair is to be kept secret.
gpt
You certainly are an exception, and so--
human
And so, you accept my congratulations without further hesitation, added Atkins.
gpt
But you two got through the affair quickly enough. 'Will you have me? I will have you,'--all right. 'The wedding shall be a year from now!'--all short, smooth, clear, without much eloquence or sentimentalism, quite to Miss Jane's taste. But our deceased Mrs. Forest would have thought quite differently of such a betrothal.
human
If Miss Alison had resembled her mother, I should scarcely have sought her hand,
gpt
There you are right! replied Atkins dryly.
human
She was not to my taste either, always ill, always inclined to tears and scenes, full of sentimentality and extravagances,--a real German woman, she died of homesickness at last. Happily the daughter has inherited none of this nonsense. She is just like her father.
gpt
I know it! And no one will accuse Mr. Forest of an excess of sentimentality.
human
No! said Atkins gravely,