human
Well, Martin, she said eagerly,
gpt
It is queer how she thinks of _him_, reflected Martin.
human
The blinding snow and bitter cold are nothing to her, I believe; yet she is but a 'chitty-faced creature,' as my mother would say. I could find in my heart to wish I had a cloak to wrap her in.
gpt
You have seen him?
human
No.
gpt
Oh! you promised you would.
human
I mean to do better by you than that. Didn't I say _I_ don't care to see him?
gpt
But now it will be so long before I get to know any thing certain about him, and I am sick of waiting. Martin, _do_ see him, and give him Caroline Helstone's regards, and say she wished to know how he was, and if anything could be done for his comfort.
human
I won't.
gpt
You are changed. You were so friendly last night.
human
Come, we must not stand in this wood; it is too cold.
gpt
But before I go promise me to come again to-morrow with news.
human
No such thing. I am much too delicate to make and keep such appointments in the winter season. If you knew what a pain I had in my chest this morning, and how I went without breakfast, and was knocked down besides, you'd feel the impropriety of bringing me here in the snow. Come, I say.
gpt
Are you really delicate, Martin?
human
Don't I look so?
gpt
You have rosy cheeks.
human
That's hectic. Will you come--or you won't?
gpt
Where?
human
With me. I was a fool not to bring a cloak. I would have made you cosy.
gpt
You are going home; my nearest road lies in the opposite direction.
human
Put your arm through mine; I'll take care of you.
gpt
But the wall--the hedge--it is such hard work climbing, and you are too slender and young to help me without hurting yourself.
human
You shall go through the gate.
gpt
But----
human
But, but--will you trust me or not?
gpt
I think I will. Anything rather than return as anxious as I came.
human
I can't answer for that. This, however, I promise you: be ruled by me, and you shall see Moore yourself.
gpt
See him myself?
human
Yourself.
gpt
But, dear Martin, does he know?
human
Ah! I'm dear now. No, he doesn't know.
gpt
And your mother and the others?
human
All is right.
gpt
Have you made up your mind?
human
Decide; we are just on the spot. I _won't_ see him--that I tell you--except to announce your arrival.
gpt
Martin, you are a strange boy, and this is a strange step; but all I feel _is_ and _has_ been, for a long time, strange. I will see him.
human
Having said that, you will neither hesitate nor retract?
gpt
No.
human
Here we are, then. Do not be afraid of passing the parlour window; no one will see you. My father and Matthew are at the mill, Mark is at school, the servants are in the back kitchen, Miss Moore is at the cottage, my mother in her bed, and Mrs. Horsfall in paradise. Observe--I need not ring. I open the door; the hall is empty, the staircase quiet; so is the gallery. The whole house and all its inhabitants are under a spell, which I will not break till you are gone.
gpt
Martin, I trust you.
human
You never said a better word. Let me take your shawl. I will shake off the snow and dry it for you. You are cold and wet. Never mind; there is a fire upstairs. Are you ready?
gpt
Yes.
human
Follow me.
gpt
Come in.
human
Mr. Moore, a lady called to inquire after you. None of the women were about. It is washing-day, and the maids are over the crown of the head in soap-suds in the back kitchen, so I asked her to step up.
gpt
Up here, sir?
human
Up here, sir; but if you object, she shall go down again.
gpt
Is this a place or am I a person to bring a lady to, you absurd lad?
human
No; so I'll take her off.
gpt
Martin, you will stay here. Who is she?
human
Your grandmother from that château on the Scheldt Miss Moore talks about.
gpt
Martin, said the softest whisper at the door,
human
Is she there?
gpt
She is there, fit to faint. She is standing on the mat, shocked at your want of filial affection.
human
Martin, you are an evil cross between an imp and a page. What is she like?
gpt
More like me than you; for she is young and beautiful.
human
You are to show her forward. Do you hear?
gpt
Come, Miss Caroline.
human
Miss Caroline!