human
I promised to give you a message,
gpt
It's all of no use now,
human
But I must tell you what she said. I think, you know, that she really loves you.
gpt
But what's the good of it? A man can't marry a girl when all the policemen in the country are dodging her.
human
She wants you to let her know what,--what you intend to do. If you mean to give her up, I think you should tell her.
gpt
How can I tell her? I don't suppose they would let her receive a letter.
human
Shall I write to her;--or shall I see her?
gpt
Just as you like. I don't care.
human
Felix, you are very heartless.
gpt
I don't suppose I'm much worse than other men;--or for the matter of that, worse than a great many women either. You all of you here put me up to marry her.
human
I never put you up to it.
gpt
Mother did. And now because it did not go off all serene, I am to hear nothing but reproaches. Of course I never cared so very much about her.
human
Oh, Felix, that is so shocking!
gpt
Awfully shocking I dare say. You think I am as black as the very mischief, and that sugar wouldn't melt in other men's mouths. Other men are just as bad as I am,--and a good deal worse too. You believe that there is nobody on earth like Paul Montague. Hetta blushed, but said nothing. She was not yet in a condition to boast of her lover before her brother, but she did, in very truth, believe that but few young men were as true-hearted as Paul Montague.
human
I suppose you'd be surprised to hear that Master Paul is engaged to marry an American widow living at Islington.
gpt
Mr. Montague--engaged--to marry--an American widow! I don't believe it.
human
You'd better believe it if it's any concern of yours, for it's true. And it's true too that he travelled about with her for ever so long in the United States, and that he had her down with him at the hotel at Lowestoft about a fortnight ago. There's no mistake about it.
gpt
I don't believe it, repeated Hetta, feeling that to say even as much as that was some relief to her. It could not be true. It was impossible that the man should have come to her with such a lie in his mouth as that. Though the words astounded her, though she felt faint, almost as though she would fall in a swoon, yet in her heart of hearts she did not believe it. Surely it was some horrid joke,--or perhaps some trick to divide her from the man she loved.
human
Felix, how dare you say things so wicked as that to me?
gpt
What is there wicked in it? If you have been fool enough to become fond of the man, it is only right you should be told. He is engaged to marry Mrs. Hurtle, and she is lodging with one Mrs. Pipkin in Islington. I know the house, and could take you there to-morrow, and show you the woman. There, said he,
human
It is not true, said Hetta, rising from her seat, and standing upright.
gpt
I am engaged to Mr. Montague, and I am sure he would not treat me in that way.
human
Then, by heaven, he shall answer it to me, said Felix, jumping up.
gpt
If he has done that, it is time that I should interfere. As true as I stand here, he is engaged to marry a woman called Mrs. Hurtle whom he constantly visits at that place in Islington.
human
I do not believe it,
gpt
By George, this is beyond a joke. Will you believe it if Roger Carbury says it's true? I know you'd believe anything fast enough against me, if he told you.
human
Roger Carbury will not say so?
gpt
Have you the courage to ask him? I say he will say so. He knows all about it,--and has seen the woman.
human
How can you know? Has Roger told you?
gpt
I do know, and that's enough. I will make this square with Master Paul. By heaven, yes! He shall answer to me. But my mother must manage you. She will not scruple to ask Roger, and she will believe what Roger tells her.
human
I do not believe a word of it,