human
Why didn't you answer Uncle Harold?
gpt
I don't know,
human
You knew he was wrong.
gpt
In a way--yes. And then, I wondered if, after all, he was right. As I said, I can't explain it to myself. You stopped my speaking to you about it. And yet, do you know, after talking with your uncle, I convinced myself--I thought I convinced myself--that I was unworthy of you, that our marriage would be wrong.
human
Don't say that! she exclaimed angrily.
gpt
Unless your love for me has changed, it is the one right thing in the world--as mine is for you.
human
Beloved! Let it be so, he said, his dark mood vanishing.
gpt
Let the first day of our new life be the first day of our past. Do you remember that first day? Coming down the river we spoke hardly a word. You laughed at me, called me lazy, the boat slipped along so slowly. And you were right! Watching you I forgot the stupid business of rowing. Never before were you so beautiful--but now you are a million times more beautiful! How I wanted to kiss you! If I had dared kiss just a bit of your dress, anything blessed by touching you! But I didn't--not then! How it all happened afterward, when we landed at our island, is the mystery--or, rather, the most natural thing in the world. I was tongue-tied as ever. Not a word in the language was in reach of me--at least, I couldn't think of one. Naturally, the dictionary men left out our words; they didn't know you. And yet, we understood! Did the birds tell us, I wonder, or was it written on the trees, or whispered in the golden air? Love talks without words. But now-- he broke off abruptly--
human
Why?
gpt
I wish I could talk it over with Raoul,
human
Why with Raoul?
gpt
You don't know Raoul.
human
Tell me about him.
gpt
He understands me, that's all. We have been together a lot. But what's the use of thinking of him! He's in India, probably--or, maybe, Bogota--yes, it must be Bogota--and will stay there for years.
human
You are fond of him?
gpt
No! I can't imagine any one being fond of him. He fascinates you. He's queer. He is my age, yet his hair is white--even his eyebrows and his eyelashes are white. Fancy a young man with white eyelashes! There's not a hint of color in his face. And his eyes--you can't tell what they are; neither can you avoid them when they stop twitching and fix themselves on you. Did you ever see a human being jump out at you from a pair of eyes? It sounds foolish; but then, you've never seen Raoul! Love leaps out of your eyes, and all the beauty of trees and rivers. God made your eyes and put you in them just to help people. It was the devil who made Raoul's eyes.