human
Kathleen, don't be angry, dear; but I can not give it up so easily, he began.
gpt
If I thought you did not love me, if I believed you cared for Teddy Darrell, I would not say another word. But--if--I--were--free--you--would love me again, would you not, my dear one?
human
Spare me! she sighed.
gpt
Oh, Ralph, we must not count on what has been or what may be. I am promised to another, and I can not break my vow. Think of the suffering I should bring to Teddy's noble heart.
human
He would soon forget you,
gpt
Then you may soon forget me, too,
human
But, Kathleen, my darling, it is so different. I love only you, while your Teddy has had scores of loves. Think, if you marry him, his fickle heart may soon tire of you; then how wretched you would be!
gpt
I do not believe that Teddy is fickle. If I thought so, I would beg him to release me from my promise. But he loves me truly, in spite of his past, and so I must be true to him,
human
And your marriage day is set?
gpt
It is only two weeks from now,
human
If he knew you cared like this--for--me--he would not want to marry you. No true lover would accept the hand without the heart.
gpt
He must never know--for--I--I--shall learn to love him by and by. Mrs. Stone says so; they all say so,
human
They are driving you into a--a--a wretched future with their silly advice!
gpt
I have been deluding myself, he said, bitterly.
human
I thought you loved me. I was mistaken, I see. I will never humble myself to you again, proud Kathleen. From this moment to my life's end, we are strangers. Farewell!
gpt
Oh, Ralph! come back!
human
Gone--and forever! she sobbed in bitterest agony, and there came over her a longing to die and be at rest from her sorrow. Life seemed too bitter to be borne, now that the last hope had failed, and Ralph had gone from her