human
They tell me that you are the best fencer in the school--is it so?
gpt
I hope not, for fencing is an accomplishment in which Gerald is very nearly my equal,
human
You run, ride, leap, too, better than any one else, according to the votes of your comrades?
gpt
It is a noble reputation, said I,
human
You are a strange youth, repeated the priest;
gpt
Yes, cried Montreuil, approaching me,--
human
cried he,
gpt
I read your heart, and I respect it; these are petty competitions and worthless honours. You require a nobler goal, and a more glorious reward. He who feels in his soul that Fate has reserved for him a great and exalted part in this world's drama may reasonably look with indifference on these paltry rehearsals of common characters.
human
Morton, you know me not; for many years I have not known you: that time is past. No sooner did your talents develop themselves than I was the first to do homage to their power: let us henceforth be more to each other than we have been; let us not be pupil and teacher; let us be friends. Do not think that I invite you to an unequal exchange of good offices: you may be the heir to wealth and a distinguished name; I may seem to you but an unknown and undignified priest; but the authority of the Almighty can raise up, from the sheepfold and the cotter's shed, a power, which, as the organ of His own, can trample upon sceptres and dictate to the supremacy of kings. And /I/--/I/ --the priest abruptly paused, checked the warmth of his manner, as if he thought it about to encroach on indiscretion, and, sinking into a calmer tone, continued,
gpt
Can you doubt, said I, with eagerness,
human
But, continued he, fixing his eyes upon mine,
gpt
My father, said I,
human
My young friend, said he,
gpt
That I think I will agree to the bond: but, father, I am an irresolute person; I must have time to consider.
human
Be it so. To-morrow, having surrendered my charge to your uncle, I depart for France.
gpt
For France! said I;
human
The ecclesiastics, said he,
gpt
I can think of none,--yet, stay; and I felt some curiosity to try the power of which he boasted,--
human
I have read that kings are blest with a most accommodating memory, and perfectly forget their favourites when they can be no longer useful. You will see, perhaps, if my father's name has become a Gothic and unknown sound at the court of the Great King. I confess myself curious to learn this, though I can have no personal interest in it.
gpt
Enough, the commission shall be done. And now, my child, Heaven bless you! and send you many such friends as the humble priest, who, whatever be his failings, has, at least, the merit of wishing to serve those whom he loves.
human
Well, well, my sage ecclesiastic, the game is not over yet; let us see if, at sixteen, we cannot shuffle cards, and play tricks with the gamester of thirty. Yet he may be in earnest, and faith I believe he is; but I must look well before I leap, or consign my actions into such spiritual keeping. However, if the worst come to the worst, if I do make this compact, and am deceived,--if, above all, I am ever seduced, or led blindfold into one of those snares which priestcraft sometimes lays to the cost of honour,--why, I shall have a sword, which I shall never be at a loss to use, and it can find its way through a priest's gown as well as a soldier's corselet.