human
Young woman, there's more in you than meets the eye. There's something in what you say; I admit there's a good deal in what you say. I'll give it my serious attention.
gpt
Your serious attention! Won't you understand? Any day I may have to leave this place.
human
That's true enough, unless you propose to remain on the premises while the catalogue s being drawn up, and the lots are being ticketed.
gpt
Herbert! What do you mean?
human
Nothing to speak of; only I happen to know that the principal creditors don't mean to wait for their money a moment longer than they can help. Either the estate will have to be administered in bankruptcy, or Miss Nora Lindsay will have to agree to the whole thing being sold--lock, stock and barrel, for what it will fetch.
gpt
When?
human
As a matter of fact, they want to come into the place and start the catalogue to-morrow.
gpt
But what will become of Nora?
human
Quite so.
gpt
Where will she go?
human
Where will she?
gpt
Couldn't she--couldn't she come and live with us?
human
What's that?
gpt
Couldn't she--live with us?
human
Who's us?
gpt
With you and me--just for a time--when we're married?
human
My dear, I don't think you care for Miss Nora Lindsay one snap of your fingers, and I'm sure I don't.
gpt
You've no right to say that.
human
I fancy that you've a sort of notion that you ought to behave prettily to her because she's let you come and liven her up when she hadn't a soul in the place to speak to. So far as I can see, she's at least as much under an obligation as you are. She'd have been deadly dull without you; she'd have had to pay a companion, and pay her well, if it hadn't been for your society. You got nothing for your services; seems to me she owes you. Don't talk about her living with us! I wouldn't live under the same roof as Miss Nora Lindsay, not for a million a year. I don't like her--never did--never could; she's not the kind of girl I care about. What does it matter to me what becomes of her? Do you think she'd trouble if I came to eternal grief? Very much so! I fancy I see her at it! No, if you're going to take up with Miss Nora Lindsay you've done with me. There never has been any love lost between us, and now if I had my way I'd never see her or speak to her again. So if your sentiments are different I'll hand you back the two hundred pounds you so kindly threw into my face just now, and we'll cry quits. I'm not going to start by letting the girl who's going to be my wife mix herself up with people who are objectionable to me.