human
Madame is very brave.
gpt
I'm frightened to death,
human
Your breathing tells me otherwise. I am certain, madame, that your pulse beats regularly, and that your nerves are entirely in order.
gpt
Is this a consultation?
human
It is the farewell of two who loved, murmured the hard, thick voice, muffled by the blankets.
gpt
That is, madame, of one who loved and of one who did not; and therein, as M. Heine truly remarks, lies the tragedy of existence.
human
Demetrius--Constantine. Leah felt that she must come to the point and get rapidly through the interview, if only to escape from the sickening atmosphere.
gpt
Katinka accuses me of betraying you.
human
Well, madame?
gpt
I did not. I swear I did not.
human
Indeed? Mademoiselle Aksakoff is doubtless mistaken.
gpt
In a way. She wishes to save her father from blame.
human
As a good daughter should. Will you explain further, madame?
gpt
Certainly. I came, of my own free will, to explain. Katinka told me how ill you were, and I could not bear to think you should die believing me to be dishonourable.
human
Madame speaks hopefully of my dying. It would please her, perhaps?
gpt
No. What do you take me for? I never loved you as you wished to be loved; but if M. Aksakoff had not interfered, and we had married, I should have come to love you.
human
You speak of what might have been.
gpt
I suppose so. Circumstances are altered. Marriage is out of the question.
human
Assuredly, and I am scarcely fit for a bridegroom.
gpt
What is the matter with you?
human
Besides, Captain Strange informed me that your husband has returned. Madame was doubtless pleased at that marvellous resurrection, so cleverly managed.
gpt
No, said Leah, honestly enough.
human
I was not; but circumstances made it imperative that Jim should return.
gpt
And for me to travel in Siberia?
human
Blame M. Aksakoff, blame M. Aksakoff, she insisted.
gpt
I am innocent.
human
Be pleased to observe, madame, that as yet I have brought no accusation against you.
gpt
Katinka acted as your mouthpiece.
human
You have not my authority to say that.
gpt
Then I gather that you do not blame me for your exile?
human
How can I with any truth, madame, seeing that yon accuse M. Aksakoff?
gpt
I do,
human
In that case I regret that Mademoiselle struck the wrong person.
gpt
You know that she struck me?
human
I was informed of it this morning, and express my regret that she acted so foolishly. Did the blow hurt you?
gpt
It was most painful. I feel it still.
human
Your lip is cut, then?
gpt
Both lips--inside, luckily, so there will be no visible scars. But even now a very little would make them bleed.
human
You appear to approve,
gpt
Pardon; I mentioned before that Mademoiselle, in my humble opinion, was wrong.
human
She was very wrong. I am not accustomed to deal with wild beasts.
gpt
Spare me, madame; I owe her so much.
human
I owe her nothing except revenge for striking me. But I excuse that because she is ignorant of the truth.
gpt
I am also ignorant, madame.
human
You shall hear it now--yes, the absolute truth.
gpt
The truth, murmured the sick man; adding, after a significant pause,
human
I am waiting, madame.
gpt
I went to Paris with Miss Tallentire, explained the Duchess, beginning anywhere in her hurry,
human
Followed you?
gpt
Certainly not. I always detested the boy--so conceited. He admired Miss Tallentire, and his liking for me was the passing fancy of a shallow nature. To arouse your jealousy, M. Aksakoff put it about that Mr. Askew intended to marry me in Paris. The gossip--and it was merely gossip--came to Mrs. Penworthy's ears. That woman hated me then, and hates me now. To make mischief she told you. You came over to Paris. There, you remember what took place.
human
Not at our final meeting. My last memory of your face is seeing it across the tea-table.
gpt
You had a fit of some kind, and M. Aksakoff called up a Dr. Helfmann, who took you away in a cab to be cured. Then I received a letter from you, stating that you were going to Russia. As I fancied you might have settled with M. Aksakoff about your pardon, of course I quite believed it, and--and--I think that is all.
human
Did you not know that the letter was forged?
gpt
No!
human
That the so-called Dr. Helfmann was a spy?
gpt
No!
human
That the coffee--or rather, that the tea was drugged?
gpt
No. How could I possibly know that M. Aksakoff was using me as his tool? If the tea--it _was_ tea--well, if he put anything into the tea, I did not see him do it. It was M. Aksakoff who gave you into Dr. Helfmann's charge, when you were insensible. Now, am I to blame?
human
Your explanation is eminently satisfactory, madame.
gpt
And you believe me?
human
It would be impolite to doubt a lady.