human
Yes, said Lionel, emphatically,
gpt
I have no intention of marrying yet,
human
I thought that Mr. Askew admired you.
gpt
He admires a new schooner he has bought, and some woman in South America. Oh, Mr. Askew has a catholic mind, I can tell you.
human
Dr. Demetrius!
gpt
He has gone to Russia, I believe, on business connected with his pardon. Didn't Joan tell you how he was taken ill in Paris?
human
Yes; what a strange thing!
gpt
Oh, I don't know. He once told me that he inherited fits--mother's side. It was very rude of him to have one in my rooms, but some men are so inconsiderate.
human
He loves you.
gpt
Or loved me--which?
human
Present tense, I fancy. Will you marry him?
gpt
Will I marry the Emperor of China, you mean. No, thanks; I have no wish to live in a country of bounce and bombs. And I never could read those novels written by men with unpronounceable names. Besides, I can't bear dapper little men with waxed moustaches. I only tolerated Dr. Demetrius because he was useful to Jim.
human
A great friend of your husband's, I believe.
gpt
Do you? Does one generally make a friend of one's doctor?
human
The man was certainly credited with being your friend. And more, he talked openly of his love for you.
gpt
What bad taste! I don't see how you can hold me responsible. He did love me, I believe--at least, he pestered me with attentions. It's a mercy he has gone to Si--I mean to Russia. I hope he'll stay there, and be eaten up by white bears like those poor brats Elisha was so spiteful to. As to marrying --her eyes twinkled--
human
You never said that when he was alive.
gpt
Of course not: he would have taken advantage of the compliment. But Jim wasn't bad on the whole. He left me alone, at all events. Perhaps his successor will bother me to show public affection: as if I would--or could, for the matter of that.
human
Lady James, do you love any one but yourself?
gpt
You and Joan--dear little innocent glass-case dolls that you are. Yes; you may blush and smile, but I am really in earnest. You were always so rude to me that I knew you to be genuine.
human
Oh! Lionel exhibited shocked surprise.
gpt
I hope I was never rude.
human
Horribly, on all occasions. If you had not been, I never should have believed that you were genuine. When people mean what they say, and don't want anything from one, they are always rude; it's a kind of trademark. I am sure Socrates was a man you could always trust and would never have invited to dinner. You're something like him, only you don't ask questions and are better-looking. I always consider you the one honest man in a world of rogues, and if you were not engaged to Joan, I should marry you.
gpt
I might have something to say to that.
human
Not at all. Didn't you hear me say that I should have married you. What could you or any man do against me? and she laughed with an insolent pride in her beauty and powers.
gpt
By the way, she added,
human
I have to run up to town to-morrow on business. Do you mind?
gpt
Not at all. Joan and her mother will be here. Do exactly what you please, Lady James.
human
Call me Leah, now that you are the head of the family,
gpt
Leah! he breathed.
human
Very well, then--Leah.
gpt
You foolish thing, she said, kindly;
human
Leaving the sentence unfinished and Lionel furious, she left the room. That she--this hardened coquette of the world, should dare to think he would forget the sweetest and best of girls. Let her sing the song of the sirens as she might, he would never--no, never, prove false to Joan. But honest as were these thoughts, Lionel was but a man, when all was said and done, and the touch on his shoulder, the look in her eyes, the cooing murmur of her voice, made him wince, and not unpleasantly. Well was it for the young man that Leah did not choose to try her wiles, else he might have been lured towards that pit the edges of which are wreathed with roses. Had his future Duchess been any other than Joan the simple, a perverse spirit might have led Lady Jim to indulge in some perilous amusement; but she liked the girl, and honestly respected Lionel. Therefore did the lover scoff at her magic arts, strong only in escaping temptation. Had Leah put forth her powers----
gpt
Silly little donkey, she thought, climbing the stairs,
human
she finished.
gpt
Joan is a dear girl, and I am the most worried woman in the world.