human
Here I am, actually detected, trying to glide by unperceived, said Cleve, lying, as Mr. Fag says in the play, and coming up quickly to the open window.
gpt
You must think me quite mad, or the most impudent person alive; but what am I to do? I can't leave Ware, without paying old Rebecca--Mrs. Mervyn, you know--a visit. Lady Verney blows me up so awfully about it, and has put it on me as a duty. She thinks there's no one like old Rebecca; and really poor old Mervyn was always very kind to me when I was a boy. She lives, you know, in the steward's house. I can't come up here in daylight. I'm in such a dilemma. I must wait till Sir Booth has gone out in his boat, don't you see? and so I did; and if I had just got round the corner there, without your observing me, I should have been all right. I'm really quite ashamed. I must look so like a trespasser--a poacher--everything that is suspicious; but the case, you see, is really so difficult. I've told you everything, and I do hope you quite acquit me.
human
Oh, yes, said Miss Sheckleton.
gpt
We _must_, you know. It's like a piece of a Spanish comedy; but what's to be done? You must have been very near meeting. Booth has only just gone down to the boat.
human
We did meet--that is, he actually passed me by, but without seeing me. I heard him coming, and just stood, taking my chance; it was very dark you know.
gpt
Well, I forgive you, said Miss Sheckleton.
human
I must, you know; but the dogs won't. You hear them in the yard. What good dear creatures they are; and when they hear us talking to you, they'll grow quite quiet, and understand that all is well, they are _so_ intelligent. And there's the boat; look, Margaret, through _that_ opening, you can just see it. When the moon gets up, it looks so pretty. I suppose it's my bad taste, but those clumsy fishing boats seem to me so much more picturesque than your natty yachts, though, of course, _they_ are very nice in their way. Do you hear how _furious_ you have made our great dog, poor old Neptune! He looks upon us, Margaret and I, as in his special charge; but it does not do, making such an uproar.
gpt
I'll just run to the back window, and quiet him. I shan't be away a moment, Margaret, dear.