human
I like him better than Mahomet M.,
gpt
They're both very civil,
human
One has all the courtesy of hell! With the other it is--well, not quite the manners of heaven. I can imagine something brighter even than M. Le Gros; but it does very well for earth. M. Le Gros knows that a young woman should be treated as a human being; and even his blandishments are pleasant enough, as they are to take the shape of golden guineas. As for me, M. Le Gros is quite good enough for my idea of this world.
gpt
Frank, what on earth did you come here for?
human
Why, Rachel!
gpt
I told you not to come. I told you especially that you were not to come.
human
Why did you tell him so? said Mr. O'Mahony;
gpt
Not one kiss, Rachel?
human
Oh, kisses, yes! If I didn't kiss you father would think that we had already quarrelled. But it may be that we must do so. When I had told you everything, that you should rush up to London to look after me--as though you suspected me!
gpt
What is there to suspect?
human
Nothing--I suspect nothing, said Frank.
gpt
But there were things which made it impossible that I should not wish to be nearer. She was insulted.
human
Who insulted her?
gpt
The devil in the shape of a woman, said Rachel.
human
He takes that shape as often as the other.
gpt
Rachel should not be left in such hands,
human
My dear Mr. Jones, you have no right to say in what hands I shall be left. My father and I have got to look after that between us. I have told you over and over again what are my intentions in the matter. They have been made in utter disregard of myself, and with the most perfect confidence in you. You tell me that you cannot marry me.
gpt
Not quite at present.
human
Very well; I have been satisfied to remain as engaged to you; but I am not satisfied to be subject to your interference.
gpt
Interference!
human
Well now; I'm going. This came from Mr. O'Mahony.
gpt
I've got to see if I can earn a few shillings, and tell a few truths. I will leave you to fight out your battles among you.
human
There will be no battles,
gpt
I hope not, but I feel that I can do no good. I have such absolute trust in Rachel, that you may be quite sure that I shall back her up in whatever she says. Now, good-night,
human
I am glad he has gone, because he would do us no good, said Rachel.
gpt
You were angry with me just now because I spoke of interference. I meant it. I will not admit of any interference from you. Then she sat with her two hands on her knees, looking him full in the face.
human
I love you with all my heart, and am ready to tell everyone that I am to become your wife. They have a joke about it in the theatre calling me Mrs. Jones; and because nobody believes what anybody says they think you're a myth. I suppose it is queer that a singing girl should marry Mr. Jones. I'm to go in the autumn to Covent Garden, and get ever so much more money, and I shall still talk about Mr. Jones,--unless you and I agree to break it off.
gpt
Certainly not that,
human
But it is by no means certain. Will you go back to Ireland to-morrow morning, and undertake not to see me again, until you come prepared to marry me? If not we must break it off.
gpt
I can hardly do that
human
Then, said she, rising from her chair,
gpt
He too rose from his chair, and frowned at her by way of an answer.
human
I have one other suggestion to make, she said.
gpt
I shall receive next October what will be quite sufficient for both of us, and for father too. Come and bear the rough and the smooth together with us.
human
And live upon you?
gpt
I should live upon you without scruple if you had got it. And then I shall bear your interference without a word of complaint. Nay, I shall thank you for it. I shall come to you for advice in everything. What you say will be my law. You shall knock down all the Mosses for me;--or lock them up, which would be so much better. But you must be my husband.
human
Not yet. You should not ask me as yet. Think of my father's position. Let this one sad year pass by.
gpt
Two--three, if there are to be two or three sad years! I will wait for you till you are as grey as old Peter, and I have not a note left in my throat. I will stick to you like beeswax. But I will not have you here hanging about me. Do you think that it would not be pleasant for me to have a lover to congratulate me every day on my little triumphs? Do you think that I should not be proud to be seen leaning always on your arm, with the consciousness that Mr. Moss would be annihilated at his very first word? But when a year had passed by, where should I be? No, Frank, it will not do. If you were at Morony Castle things would go on very well. As you choose to assume to yourself the right of interference, we must part.
human
When you tell me of such a proposition as that made to you by the woman, am I to say nothing?
gpt
Not a word;--unless it be by letter from Morony Castle, and then only to me. I will not have you here meddling with my affairs. I told you, though I didn't tell my father, because I would tell you everything.
human
And I am to leave you,--without another word?
gpt
Yes, without another word. And remember that from this moment I am free to marry any man that may come the way.
human
Rachel!
gpt
I am free to marry any man that may come the way. I don't say I shall do so. It may take me some little time to forget you. But I am free. When that has been understood between us I am sure you will interfere no longer; you will not be so unkind as to force upon me the necessity of telling the truth to all the people about the theatre. Let us understand each other.
human
I understand,
gpt
I quite know your position. Trusting to your own prospects, you cannot marry me at present, and you do not choose to accept such income as I can give you. I respect and even approve your motives. I am living a life before the public as a singer, in which it is necessary that I should encounter certain dangers. I can do so without fear, if I be left alone. You won't leave me alone. You won't marry me, and yet you won't leave me to my own devices;--therefore, we had better part. He took her by the hand sorrowfully, as though preparing to embrace her.
human
No, Mr. Jones, she said,