human
Friend,
gpt
Oh, friend, open the door and let me feel the air.
human
Prepare your eyes for a hideous sight,
gpt
My deliverer cannot make me fear,
human
Thank the night, lady, he said.
gpt
It is kind because it hides one of nature's failures. A spider, they say, once saved a Scotchman. A hunchback may do as much for a queen.
human
What made you come to my aid? she murmured.
gpt
It is death for you.
human
Lady, said Gaudriole,
gpt
I bow to the Church, because hypocrisy drives many a sinner to play the saint. When the fat Laroche calls me to my duty, I confess with my tongue in my cheek and burn a rushlight. That is for policy. Before you I am a Protestant. By myself I am a believer in living long and cheating the gallows. That again is policy. I hate the Church and its priests, therefore I have released you. Also, by some strange mischance, nature has placed a man's heart within this contemptible body. But let us hasten.
human
The sentry!
gpt
Look not in that direction, said Gaudriole.
human
Lady, which way? I will guide you to safety, stay by your side while I can serve you, and when you say, 'Back, dog!' I disappear.
gpt
You have done murder, cried the girl.
human
Let me see. Stand aside. Ah, poor wretch! He was but doing his duty, and his blood is on my head.
gpt
The deed is mine, both in this world and the next, said Gaudriole.
human
I had a grudge against the knave. He stunned me once with his fist when I stumbled by mischance across his foot. Lady, you must come quickly. I see lights moving yonder. There is no time to lose.
gpt
Geoffrey!
human
For his sake,
gpt
But you?
human
I! Gaudriole uttered his malevolent chuckle.
gpt
To-morrow I shall be hopping about the fortress, full of wild fancies which shall mightily impress the superstitious. I shall say how, as I lay on the hillside, I saw lightning strike the sentry dead, and how at the roll of thunder the door of this hut burst open and you passed out in a flame of fire. Laroche shall worship you as a saint to-morrow, if he worship aught but his belly and his sword, and shall keep the day holy in honour of Sainte Madeleine. Fear not for me. I have a clever tongue, lady, and a brave imagination, and if I am pushed can devise twenty men to do this deed. Come! he whispered sharply.
human
The lights approach.