human
I called on your father this morning, he said.
gpt
He told me you were at home--that you had run in and surprised him. I asked if he thought you would be receiving so soon, and he was so good as to reassure me. I hope I'm not intruding?
human
No, she said.
gpt
Won't you sit down?
human
Thank you. Shall we sit by the window here? He looked at her and laughed.
gpt
Your father seemed to be in a temper.... Actually he was peevish at you. I really don't think he liked the idea of my coming to call, but I smoothed him down splendidly. He thawed and admitted that you and he had been having a little disagreement.
human
Did he tell you what the disagreement was?
gpt
No, indeed, said Cantor, with lifted brows,
human
If you could see the brand-new lock on my door you wouldn't call it nonsense.
gpt
Actually! Well, well, I knew he got pretty savage sometimes, but to lock you in--well, I _am_ astonished. But I'm the prince come to rescue you from the enchantment. Now do you regard me as a particularly steady and trustworthy young man?
human
I've never thought about it,
gpt
I must be, he said, gaily,
human
Safe with you.... Yes, you must have convinced him of that. I'm sure he wouldn't allow me to go out of the house with anybody he didn't trust fully. She eyed him without enthusiasm. She was about to add something, but thought better of it. Then:
gpt
Do you mean that father has constituted you my escort? Is that it? That I'm to be allowed to go abroad with you--to keep an eye on me?
human
That's not a pretty way to say it, Miss von Essen.
gpt
It's the fact, isn't it?
human
I shouldn't say so. If I were describing the thing I'd say that your father thought I was a reasonably decent fellow, and was willing to trust you with me.
gpt
My father is afraid to allow me at large?
human
Why, he seemed to want to keep you under his eye.
gpt
For an excellent reason?
human
Undoubtedly he has a reason.
gpt
If he is afraid I'll do something if I get out of the house, how does he suppose you can prevent me?... Especially in a public place. Suppose I were to decide I wanted to be alone--to leave you. How would you prevent it?
human
He didn't appear to worry about that.
gpt
Don't _you_ worry about it?
human
Not a bit.
gpt
Why?
human
Now, Miss von Essen--I'm just the pleasant young man who is allowed to run around with you. I don't know why I'm allowed, but I'm delighted that it's so. I'm sure if your father trusted you to me you wouldn't do anything to get me in bad with him.
gpt
You haven't seemed happy with your father?
human
I'm not,
gpt
Why don't you get away from him, then?
human
Well, she said, with a wry smile,
gpt
I know something that will unlock it.
human
For instance?
gpt
Marriage.
human
Exactly, said he.
gpt
You know, Hildegarde, I've been attracted by you. You've seen that.... You couldn't help it. I'd have told you before this--that I love you and want you to marry me, but the moment never seemed to come.... But I can tell you now.... You're unhappy here. Something has gone very wrong.... I offer you a way out--and once married to me, you are free of Herman von Essen--free of him forever.... Won't you think about it, Hildegarde? I wouldn't be such a rotten husband, and I'm mighty fond of you.
human
You're--actually--proposing marriage?
gpt
I love you,
human
Did you and father think marriage would close my mouth?
gpt
I don't understand you.
human
You think if I were married to you you would have me safe. Oh, you understand me, all right.... I'm not so blind. You know I've suspected you, and now I know. I know.... This _proves_ it. I know who you are.
gpt
Who am I but myself?
human
You are the man who was in this library talking to father. You are the man who trapped him; who forced him to be a spy and a traitor.... Not that he needed forcing past anything but his cowardice.... You're a German spy, in command of German spies. You're the man who plans these explosions and fires and murders--and sets tools to carry out your plans....
gpt
Nonsense! said Cantor, with an easy laugh.
human
You've been having nightmare. Why, he declared,
gpt
I'm French! At least I was born in Alsace.... Wherever did you get such a notion?
human
It's the truth.
gpt
Of course I can't prove that I'm not--any more than you can prove that I am.... And meantime I love you very much indeed and am asking you to be my wife.... Now don't refuse offhand. Take time to consider.... You don't want to be shut up in your room for months, maybe years. Your father seemed to have the notion of imprisonment for life. He showed his teeth in a smile that seemed to say he appreciated the humor of the whole thing.
human
I offer you a way out, and not a hard way.... You can't dislike me so much, or you wouldn't have been willing to play around with me the way you have. Just think it over and you'll see lots of advantages.... Why, we can end this disagreeable situation this afternoon! Throw a few things in a bag and come with me. We'll be married and telephone your father. He'll rage, but you'll be out of his reach.