human
Good day to you, Houghton, the horseman said;
gpt
I see.
human
You are not overjoyed.
gpt
There's no reason why I should be glad. Why have you come?
human
You remember our last meeting five years ago. You were on your way to be married. Marriage is a beautiful thing, Houghton, when everything is right and square, and there's love both sides. Well, everything was right and square with you and the woman you were going to marry; but there was not love both sides.
gpt
I warn you to speak with less insolence; we had better talk simply.
human
We will talk simply. As I said, you had marriage without love. The woman loved another man. That other man loved the woman--that good woman. In youthful days at college he had married, neither wisely nor well, a beggar-maid without those virtues usually credited to beggar-maidens who marry gentlemen. Well, Houghton, the beggar-maid was supposed to have died. She hadn't died; she had shammed. Meanwhile, between her death and her resurrection, the man came to love that good woman. And so, lines got crossed; things went wrong. Houghton, I loved Alice before she was your wife. I should have married her but for the beggar-maid.
gpt
You left her without telling her why.
human
I told her that things must end, and I went away.
gpt
Like a coward, rejoined Houghton.
human
You should have told her all.
gpt
What difference has it made?
human
My happiness and hers. If you had told her all, there had been an end of mystery. Mystery is dear to a woman's heart. She was not different in that respect from others. You took the surest way to be remembered.
gpt
Houghton, you are remarkably frank with me; what do you mean by it?
human
I'll tell you if you will answer me this question: Why have you come here?
gpt
I came to see your wife, because I'm not likely ever to see her or you again. I wanted one look of her before I went away. There, I'm open with you.
human
It is well to be open with me, Houghton replied. He drew Cayley aside to an opening in the trees, where the mountain and the White Bluff road could be seen, and pointed.
gpt
That would make a wonderful leap, he said,
human
A dreadful steeplechase,
gpt
Two people have agreed to take that fence.
human
What two people?
gpt
My wife and I
human
Why?
gpt
Because there has been a mistake, and to live is misery.
human
Has it come to that? Cayley asked huskily.
gpt
Is there no way--no better way? Are you sure that Death mends things? Presently he put his hand upon Houghton's arm, as if with a sudden, keen resolve.
human
Houghton, he said,
gpt
Yes, you are--?
human
I am--a man who will give you your wife's love.
gpt
I do not understand,
human
Look at that horse, he said.
gpt
Did you ever see a better?
human
Never, answered Houghton, running him over with his eye,
gpt
You notice the two white feet and the star on the forehead. Now, listen. Firefoot, here!
human
My God! said Houghton, turning upon him with staring eyes,
gpt
Whose horse is that?
human
It is the horse of Hyland the bushranger, he said.
gpt
All Queensland knows Firefoot. Then he dazedly added:
human
Are you Hyland?
gpt
A price is set on my head,
human
You are bold to come here openly.
gpt
If I couldn't come here openly I would not come at all, answered the other.
human
After what I have told you, he added,
gpt
On my honour--I will play a fair game,
human
Alice, a stranger has come.
gpt
Who is it?
human
It is the horseman we saw on the hillside. His eyes passed over her face pityingly.
gpt
I will go and bring him.
human
Who is it? Is it any one I know?
gpt
It is some one you know,
human
Oh, Harry!
gpt
Why have you come here? she whispered.
human
To say good-bye for always,
gpt
And why--for always?
human
Because we are not likely ever to meet again.
gpt
Where are you going? she anxiously asked.
human
God knows!