human
Do not be alarmed! I will come no more. I should not have come at all, if I could have foreseen. . .
gpt
That you would meet me?
human
Perhaps.--But do not flatter yourself too much on that account!--As to my listening... Well, yes; I was standing at the window. Inside the room I could only half hear, and who does not want to hear what great men have to say to each other? And, excepting your father, I have met none such in Memphis since Memnon left the city. We women have inherited some curiosity from our mother Eve; but we rarely indulge it so far as to hunt for a necklace in our neighbor's trunk! I have no luck as a criminal, my dear Orion. Twice have I deserved the name. Thanks to the generous and liberal use you made of my inexperience I sinned--sinned so deeply that it has ruined my whole life; and now, again, in a more venial way; but I was caught out, you see, in both cases.
gpt
Your taunts are merited, said Orion sadly.
human
And yet, Child, we may both thank Providence, which did not leave us to wander long on the wrong road. Once already I have besought your forgiveness, and I do so now again. That does not satisfy you I see--and I can hardly blame you. Perhaps you will be better pleased, when I assure you once more that no sin was ever more bitterly or cruelly punished than mine has been.
gpt
Indeed! said Katharina with a drawl; then, with a flutter of her fan, she went on airily:
human
And yet you look anything rather than crushed; and have even succeeded in winning 'the other'--Paula, if I am not mistaken.
gpt
That will do!