human
You were recognised in Carlisle, I exclaimed after we had been chatting some time.
gpt
Tell me about it. I was surprised to get your note, and I confess I was also somewhat alarmed. Was the person who recognised you an enemy or a friend?
human
A friend, was her prompt reply.
gpt
But his very friendliness would, I knew, be fatal to my interests, so I had to fly. He recognised me, even in this dress, stopped me in the street, raised his hat and spoke. But I discerned his intention, therefore I passed on with affected indignation and without answering. Had I opened my mouth my voice might have betrayed me. I went on to Glasgow.
human
And there? What happened?
gpt
Happened? she echoed, nervously.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Something happened there, Sybil. Why don't you tell me?
human
Sybil, she said in a tone of reproach.
gpt
Am I no longer Tibbie to you, as of old? You are changed, Wilfrid--changed towards me. There is something in your manner so very unusual. What is it?
human
I desire to know the truth, I said in a hard voice.
gpt
You are trying to keep back things from me which I ought to know. I trust you, and yet you do not trust me in return. Indeed, it seems very much as though you are trying to deceive me.
human
I am not, she protested.
gpt
You still misjudge me, Wilfrid, and merely because there are certain things which it would be against my own interests to explain at this moment. Every woman is permitted to have secrets; surely I may have mine. If you were in reality my husband, then it would be different. Hitherto, you have been generosity itself towards me. Why withdraw it now, at the critical moment when I most require your aid and protection.
human
Why?
gpt
Because in Glasgow I was recognised by one of my enemies, she said.
human
Ah! you don't know what a narrow escape I had. He traced me--and came from London to hunt me down and denounce me. Yet I managed to meet him with such careless ease that he was disarmed, and hesitated. And while he hesitated I escaped. He is still following me. He may be here, in Newcastle, for all I know. It we meet again, Wilfrid, she added in a hoarse, determined voice,
gpt
No, no, I urged.
human
Come, don't contemplate such a step as that!
gpt
I fear to face him. I can never face him.
human
You mean John Parham.
gpt
Who told you? she started quickly.
human
How did you know his name?
gpt
I guessed it. They told me at the hotel that you had had a visitor, and that you had soon afterwards escaped to the north.
human
Do you actually know Parham?
gpt
I met him once,
human
Does he know that we are friends?
gpt
How can I tell? But why do you fear him?
human
Ah, it is a long story. I dare not face that man, Wilfrid. Surely that is sufficient.
gpt
No. It is not sufficient, I replied.
human
You managed to escape and get up to Fort William.
gpt
Ah! The man at the hotel told you so, I suppose, she said.
human
Yes, I did escape, and narrowly. I was betrayed.
gpt
By whom?
human
Unwittingly betrayed by a friend, I think,