human
Mamma, Mr. Paul Montague has been here.
gpt
He always comes here when I am away,
human
That has been an accident. He could not have known that you were going to Messrs. Leadham and Loiter's.
gpt
I'm not so sure of that, Hetta.
human
Then, mamma, you must have told him yourself, and I don't think you knew till just before you were going. But, mamma, what does it matter? He has been here, and I have told him--
gpt
You have not accepted him?
human
Yes, mamma.
gpt
Without even asking me?
human
Mamma, you knew. I will not marry him without asking you. How was I not to tell him when he asked me whether I--loved him?
gpt
Marry him! How is it possible you should marry him? Whatever he had got was in that affair of Melmotte's, and that has gone to the dogs. He is a ruined man, and for aught I know may be compromised in all Melmotte's wickedness.
human
Oh, mamma, do not say that!
gpt
But I do say it. It is hard upon me. I did think that you would try to comfort me after all this trouble with Felix. But you are as bad as he is;--or worse, for you have not been thrown into temptation like that poor boy! And you will break your cousin's heart. Poor Roger! I feel for him;--he that has been so true to us! But you think nothing of that.
human
I think very much of my cousin Roger.
gpt
And how do you show it;--or your love for me? There would have been a home for us all. Now we must starve, I suppose. Hetta, you have been worse to me even than Felix.