human
I must not be hard on Captain Huxham, said Bella, when Cyril brought her to the gate,
gpt
A kind of Captain Kidd, assented Lister gravely.
human
I agree with you. But the old ruffian had a soft spot in his heart for you, my dear.
gpt
No, said Bella, shaking her head,
human
I would not say that exactly. He suffered from remorse and therefore looked me out when he came to England. I did not find him an affectionate father by any means. But he was just, in a grim way, and even generous. He grudged me nothing save ready money. I wonder if Mrs. Vand knows the truth.
gpt
You said yourself that she did not, replied Lister quietly,
human
Unpleasant? Why, it is a delightful truth!
gpt
Unpleasant from Mrs. Vand's point of view, since, had she known that you were not her brother's daughter, in no way could you claim the money.
human
I am very, very glad that she has got the money, and much good may it do her. But I am thankful that Captain Huxham did not reveal the truth about me to her. Now she need never know.
gpt
It matters very little whether she knows or not, retorted Cyril.
human
She cannot gain possession of the jewels. Those are clearly yours.
gpt
How are we going to gain possession of them?
human
Heaven only knows! The first thing to be done is to find my father and see if they are in his possession. And now that we are parting, Bella, and you feel better, I don't mind telling you that I don't think my father will give them up--if indeed he has them.
gpt
But to me, his son's future wife----
human
My father is quite unbiassed by sentimental considerations, said Cyril very dryly.
gpt
What he holds, he keeps. However, there is plenty of time to talk of this matter when we meet my father. Meanwhile, what will you do?
human
I am going to my bedroom to read these, she said seriously.
gpt
I wish to learn everything that concerns my true parentage. I may have relatives, you know.
human
If you have, said Lister emphatically,
gpt
I only trust that you will leave them severely alone. I don't care for relatives; they ask everything and give nothing.
human
Well, said Bella smiling, for she had quite recovered her spirits,
gpt
What of that? Everyone knows that we are engaged.
human
It doesn't do to emphasise the engagement in public, said the girl seriously, and ran into the cottage. At the door she turned.
gpt
I shall tell you all that I read in these papers,