human
I am in the way here, he said, controlling his passion with difficulty.
gpt
But listen attentively to what I say: you shall remain my wife so long as both of us live. I had intended arranging your freedom, once the estate and moneys were divided, but not now. You shall read my wife till the end of the book; for unless I meet you half-way, the marriage contract can not be broken. In the old days it was your conscience. The still small voice seems no longer to trouble you, turning suggestively to Hillard.
human
You are stopping at the Hotel Italie?
gpt
I am. You will find me there,
human
Good! Your Highness, to-morrow night I shall have the extreme pleasure of running your lover through the throat.
gpt
It will do my soul good to stand before that scoundrel, said Hillard, stretching out his hands and closing them with crushing force.
human
He has felt the power of my hand to-night. I will kill him.
gpt
No, Mr. Hillard, you will fight no duel.
human
And why not? I do not see how it can be avoided.
gpt
You have told me that you love me. As it stands I may sometimes see you, but if you kill him, never.
human
He is far more likely to kill me, said Hillard morosely.
gpt
And perhaps it would be a kind service.
human
Shame! she cried.
gpt
Have you no courage? Can you not accept the inevitable manfully? Think of me. I can fight no duels; I must live on and on, tied legally to this man. And it is you who will add misery to my unhappiness? You will not fight him,
human
Very well. To be called a coward by a man like that is nothing. I shall not fight him.
gpt
Thank you.
human
I love you, he murmured as he bent to kiss the hand;
gpt
I forbid you to say that! But the longing of the world was in her eyes as she looked down at his head. She released her hand.
human
My friends, to-morrow our little play comes to an end. This is no longer Eden. We must go.
gpt
This is what comes of American girls marrying these blamed foreigners, growled the tender-hearted O'Mally.
human
Why did you do it?
gpt
I am almost Italian, Mr. O'Mally. I had no choice in the matter; the affair was prearranged by our parents, after the continental fashion.
human
I'm sorry I spoke like that,
gpt
No apologies, if you please. It is only just that you should know something of the case, considering the manner in which I imposed upon you all.
human
I'll punch Worth's head when I run across him.
gpt
That would change nothing. He was a part of destiny; he has served his little turn and has gone. Were we not a happy family together for weeks? La Signorina smiled wanly.
human
To-morrow I am going to write Mr. Hillard; I am going to tell him the story. From your point of view you may write me down a silly fool, but one's angle of vision is not immutable.
gpt
You're the finest woman in the world, declared O'Mally;
human
You will be happy, at any rate, Kitty.
gpt
Poor girl! cried Kitty. Princesses were mortal like other people.
human
How I love you! Come back with us to America.
gpt
I must live out the puzzle over here.
human
When shall I see you again?
gpt
Who knows? Some day, perhaps, when time has softened the sharp edges of this moment, the second bitterest I have ever known. To-morrow I shall write, or very soon. Now, give me your promise that you will no more seek me till I send for you.
human
You will send for me?
gpt
Why not? proudly.
human
There is nothing wrong in our friendship, and I prize it. Promise.
gpt
I promise. Good-by! If I remain any longer I shall be making mad, regrettable proposals. For a little while I have lived in paradise. Wherever I may be, at the world's end, you have but to call me; in a month, in a year, a decade, I shall come. Good-by!