human
Hark you, you black rascal! If you betray me, it will be the worse for you. I have a means of silencing those who prove false to me.
gpt
Ah, Alice, you here? said he, facing towards her.
human
I did not know you were abroad--
gpt
There, there, that'll do. I'll forgive you this time, but remember! Now be off with you--be off, I say.
human
Why, Warren, asked his sister,
gpt
Because he's a pestilent fellow. I want him to know his place.
human
But a kind word doesn't cost much.
gpt
There, sister! no scolding, if you please. I'm not in the best of humours now. Where is your horse?
human
So the old hunter did you a good service, did he? I didn't think he had it in him, the old bear.
gpt
How unjust you are, Warren. Bear, indeed! I tell you that Cris Carrol is as good a gentleman as ever lived!
human
Is he, indeed!
gpt
Yes--a thorough gentleman! One who wouldn't wound another's feelings if he could help it--and that's my idea of a gentleman!
human
Well, we won't argue the point. He has done good this time, and that'll go to his credit; for all that, I don't like him!
gpt
He's too officious, continued Warren;
human
Most people do, especially when it is good,
gpt
Who said it was good?
human
I know it is, or you would have liked it, and have followed it.
gpt
You are sarcastic.
human
No--truthful.
gpt
Well, as I am in no mode for quarrelling, we'll drop the subject, and Cris Carrol too.
human
You are welcome to choose your friends--I'll select my own.
gpt
You have done so already.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
That Nelatu, the Indian, seems to be one of them.
human
Have you anything against him?
gpt
Oh, no. I am only afraid he'll be the loser by the intimacy.
human
Am I so dangerous?
gpt
Yes, Warren, you are dangerous, for, with all your pretended goodness, you lack principle. You cannot conceal your real character from me. Remember, I am your sister.
human
I am glad you remind me. I should forget it.
gpt
That's because you avoid me so much. If you believed in my wishes for your welfare, you would not do that.
human
Indeed, then I beg you won't waste your sympathy on me. I'm perfectly able to take care of myself.
gpt
You think you are.
human
Well, have it that way if it pleases you better. But what has this to do with my friendship for the Indian?
gpt
A great deal. I don't like your intimacy with him. Not because he's an Indian--although that is one reason--but because you have some purpose to serve by it that'll do him no good.
human
Why, one would think you were in love with the young copper-skin!
gpt
No, but they might think he's in love with me.
human
What! has he dared--
gpt
No, he has dared nothing; only a woman's eye can see more than a man's. Nelatu has never spoken a familiar word to me, but, for all that, I can see that he admires me.
human
And you--do you admire him?
gpt
Shame, brother, to put such a question! I am a white woman--he is an Indian. How dare you speak of such a thing?
human
Why, you don't think that _I_ care for the fellow, do you?
gpt
And yet you pretend to be his friend. Ah! have I caught you by your own confession?
human
Again, what do you mean?
gpt
That my doubts are now certainties--that some wicked scheme _is_ concealed under this false friendship for Nelatu.
human
You are mad, Alice.
gpt
No, perfectly sane. You have some design, and I advise you, whatever it be, to abandon it. You don't like my tears, so I'll try to suppress them if I can; but I implore you, Warren, brother, to give it up now and for ever.
human
I have only you and my father to look to for support and comfort; my heart has yearned towards you both, but has met with nothing but coldness. Oh, Warren, be a brave man--brave enough to despise wickedness, and you will not only make me happy, but, perhaps, avert that terrible retribution which overtakes transgression. There is time yet; hear my prayer before it is too late.