human
The hand persuaded the traveller to go inside the cave, and promised that his friends should follow. He obeyed, but taking no notice of its beauties stood listening behind the door. He heard the whistling of a scourge and gasps of pain. Then quiet; the door opened, and there appeared his two companions, yet changed, and with a deep fire in their eyes: and they had eagle pinions in the place of dragonfly wings.
gpt
That is very charming indeed, said Norman.
human
But does it quite explain your remark?
gpt
If you were to read Plato with attention, said the old man,
human
I have read the New Testament.
gpt
But this is philosophy.
human
And I am sure, said Norman,
gpt
The picturesque, my son, _is_ the beautiful but only a section thereof. In this fable I have represented it as miniature beauty. The other fable of the picturesque I have no need to write; it is written over the world from the columns of Baalbek to the arches of Tintern and blazed on every stone of Alsander.
human
You mean the picturesque which is decaying beauty?
gpt
I do,
human
I understand you, venerable Sir, but why are you so passionate about it all?
gpt
Don't you see, boy, I love Alsander with a love a little different from the love of the tourist who comes to photograph the ruins. Oh! I have worked for her; but she is dying, dying, dying like a rose on a sapless tree.
human
I am afraid you are right, said Norman, sadly.
gpt
After what you have shown me I have no hope for unfortunate Alsander.
human
Impudent tourist! Do not dare blaspheme against the Queen of cities!
gpt
At all events, he rejoined,
human
Alsander is no place for an Englishman. I have had enough of it. I have to-day seen its last and most tragic secret. To-morrow I will go.
gpt
You are not going so soon?
human
By the first train to-morrow.
gpt
Oh no, no, no! You must stay. I did not mean to speak so soon as this, but I must tell you now. I have great plans for you--a fine work--a whole future. Come: sit on this bench a moment, let me talk to you in earnest. O you cannot possibly be allowed to go at once. Do you not realize the deep seriousness that lies beneath all my mannerisms? Do you think that it was to satisfy a traveller's curiosity that I showed you that poor, miserable madman seated on his throne?
human
I do not know why you showed me the King or why you ever disturbed my life or why you ever do anything you do. But as for work, I prefer to find it for myself. And without wishing to offend you, I want to leave this place. I do not want to be involved in your mysterious schemes.
gpt
I will thicken the mysteries round your head like clouds before I permit you to leave Alsander, Norman Price.
human
Then it _is_ you, said Norman, startled at the sound of his name.
gpt
You are the old fellow who bought the tin of Menodoron off me months ago at Blaindon. You are the tramp who sent me to Alsander. And now you have got me to Alsander you want to drive me to perdition. But I am not going to have my life upset by you any more.
human
Indeed, are you not? was the reply.
gpt
Come, I promise you a rare adventure.
human
What adventure?
gpt
I'm not going to spoil the first chapter of the story by looking up the last page. Trust and obey me as you trusted and obeyed me before--the greybeard with the blue eyes. Did my advice turn out so badly? Do you presume to tell me that you are sorry I drove you to Alsander?
human
Oh, as for that, I've had a glorious journey. But the time has come for me to go. I have no money left. And I have personal reasons.
gpt
I know, I know. The old man tapped with his stick.
human
Some pretty wench, is that the matter? Has it come to this so soon?
gpt
You have guessed rightly.
human
Foolish boy. Is such a game worth your pursuing--you with a mind! Not to mention that it's poor sport hunting doves. There's but one way for such as you with a maid. Try the intellect first--then ask the heart. Love's ways are folded in the mind. Second-rate poets may walk in their gardens prelassing up and down, singing you songs of the scholar that loved a farmer's girl. But you and I are wise enough to know love from lust, Norman Price. Lust has her whims, even her selections--that I grant you: but shall she delude us into taking her for Love?
gpt
Lust is a great Goddess as well as Love.
human
It may be; but she is a great foe of reasonable men. And Love comprises all her power and many other powers besides. But, believe me, your difficulty is not a disaster, and tact can meet it, and I swear you will learn what love means before you leave Alsander.
gpt
Your promises are pretty bold, especially that last one, my Poet. However, if you promise me good sport, of course I will stay a little longer in Alsander.
human
I have one bag full of promises and one full of fulfilments, smiled the old man,
gpt
Which is?
human
That you will maintain the most absolute, the most impenetrable secrecy concerning what you have seen this afternoon, including the very existence of such persons as myself and the King of Alsander.
gpt
A reasonable and not unexpected request. Of course I give you my word of honour to keep silent. But reveal your next mystery, Signore!
human
What is a revealed mystery, except for the Church? All I care to let you know is that if you prove your mettle you shall be allowed to help in the regeneration of Alsander.
gpt
A political scheme--is that it? But how am I to prove my mettle?
human
Wait and you will see.
gpt
Tell me at least, rejoined Norman,
human
Return to your lodging, rise, eat, walk, sleep, and flirt a little less than usual, and await events.
gpt
Is that all?
human
Not quite all. I have another very fanciful request to make. Are you what the ancients call a good hypocrite, that is to say, an accomplished actor? For there is a delicate piece of acting which I would like you to perform. I want you by gradual degrees to raise a little mystery about yourself. I want you to insinuate with a hint here and a whisper there that you are a personage, a man with a past, a nobleman in disguise, at all events not quite what you seem. Let the honest folk you dwell with begin to imagine that there is some secret about your arrival in Alsander.
gpt
My dear sir, what a very odd idea!