human
What did possess Floyd to make such an utter fool of himself? she asks.
gpt
When you wrote, I was struck dumb! That little--ninny!
human
You have just hit it. A girl who still plays with dolls, and who learned nothing in a convent but to count beads and embroider trumpery lace,
gpt
And he might have had Madame Lepelletier! She has been _such_ a success at Newport, and she will be just the envy of New York this winter! She is going to take a furnished house,--the Ascotts'. They are to spend the winter in Paris, and Mrs. Latimer says the house is lovely as an Eastern dream. I never _can_ forgive him. And he offered her to Eugene.
human
Offered her to Eugene!
gpt
Yes. He had hardly reached Lake George when the Grand Seigneur insisted upon his coming back and espousing Miss St. Vincent,--very Frenchy, was it not? But Eugene did not mean to be burdened with a dead weight all his life. We have had enough botherment with that miserable patent, not to have a beggarly girl thrust upon us!
human
I don't know about that, she answers.
gpt
It is a wretched choice for Floyd; she is a mere child compared to him, and she would have done better for Eugene. The patent is likely to prove a success; in that case the St. Vincent fortune is not to be despised.
human
O mamma, Mr. Wilmarth assured Eugene that Floyd never _could_ get back the money he was sinking in it. He _must_ know. You do not suppose Floyd was counting on _that_ chance, do you?
gpt
I don't know what he was counting on, says the mother, angrily;
human
But fancy Eugene marrying to order! and Laura laughs lightly.
gpt
I believe it was a plan of Mr. St. Vincent's in the first place. Well, the silly little thing is not much to look at! Mamma, do you know this Prof. Freilgrath is a great German _savant_ and traveller? He and Floyd have been writing a book together about Egypt or Africa or the Nile. Mr. Latimer's club is to give him an elegant reception. Mrs. Latimer met him while they were at Berlin three years ago, when he had just come from some wonderful explorations. Oh, if Madame Lepelletier were only here, she would make Floyd one of the lions of the day! What an awful pity he is tied to that child! And it was so mean of him not to come to Newport, as he promised! The whole thing is inscrutable!
human
It was a hurried, tangled-up mess! I don't pretend to understand it. I don't believe he cares for her, but the thing is done,
gpt
I _was_ curious to see her, and when Floyd asked us so cordially to come I would have put off everything. We are to go back again to-morrow, and I am delighted to meet the professor, not that I care much for the Nile or the ruins of buried cities, unless some rare and beautiful jewelry comes to light, and she laughs.
human
My bracelets have been the envy of half Newport. I wonder---- But I suppose Floyd will save the rest of his 'trumpery' for her! You have not been deposed, _ma mère_!