human
She never really cared for anybody but herself, Georgiana said in her wretched solitude. Then, too, she had found that Lord Nidderdale's manner to her had been quite changed. She was not a fool, and could read these signs with sufficient accuracy. There had been little flirtations between her and Nidderdale,--meaning nothing, as every one knew that Nidderdale must marry money; but in none of them had he spoken to her as he spoke when he met her in Madame Melmotte's drawing-room. She could see it in the faces of people as they greeted her in the park,--especially in the faces of the men. She had always carried herself with a certain high demeanour, and had been able to maintain it. All that was now gone from her, and she knew it. Though the thing was as yet but a few days old she understood that others understood that she had degraded herself.
gpt
What's all this about? Lord Grasslough had said to her, seeing her come into a room behind Madame Melmotte. She had simpered, had tried to laugh, and had then turned away her face.
human
Impudent scoundrel!
gpt
What's all this about?
human
What brings you here, I wonder? This is quite an unexpected compliment.
gpt
My being here doesn't matter. I can go anywhere without doing much harm. Why are you staying with these people?
human
Ask papa.
gpt
I don't suppose he sent you here?
human
That's just what he did do.
gpt
You needn't have come, I suppose, unless you liked it. Is it because they are none of them coming up?
human
Exactly that, Dolly. What a wonderful young man you are for guessing!
gpt
Don't you feel ashamed of yourself?
human
No;--not a bit.
gpt
Then I feel ashamed for you.
human
Everybody comes here.
gpt
No;--everybody does not come and stay here as you are doing. Everybody doesn't make themselves a part of the family. I have heard of nobody doing it except you. I thought you used to think so much of yourself.
human
I think as much of myself as ever I did,
gpt
I can tell you nobody else will think much of you if you remain here. I could hardly believe it when Nidderdale told me.
human
What did he say, Dolly?
gpt
He didn't say much to me, but I could see what he thought. And of course everybody thinks the same. How you can like the people yourself is what I can't understand!
human
I don't like them,--I hate them.
gpt
Then why do you come and live with them?
human
Oh, Dolly, it is impossible to make you understand. A man is so different. You can go just where you please, and do what you like. And if you're short of money, people will give you credit. And you can live by yourself, and all that sort of thing. How should you like to be shut up down at Caversham all the season?
gpt
I shouldn't mind it,--only for the governor.
human
You have got a property of your own. Your fortune is made for you. What is to become of me?
gpt
You mean about marrying?
human
I mean altogether, said the poor girl, unable to be quite as explicit with her brother, as she had been with her father, and mother, and sister.
gpt
Of course I have to think of myself.
human
I don't see how the Melmottes are to help you. The long and the short of it is, you oughtn't to be here. It's not often I interfere, but when I heard it I thought I'd come and tell you. I shall write to the governor, and tell him too. He should have known better.
gpt
Don't write to papa, Dolly!
human
Yes, I shall. I am not going to see everything going to the devil without saying a word. Good-bye.