human
This gold braid must betoken a grade. You are in the service, no doubt?
gpt
In what regiment?
human
I am captain in the Sixth Horse,
gpt
You are on furlough, perhaps? Does your family live in this city?
human
No; my people belong to a distant part of the country. They are far from rich, but they are honorable and highly respected. I only came up with my regiment, and, like you, lovely Mask, have been but a few days in the capital; like you, too, I know no one here; like you, I am free, with no attachments and no ties. Fate seems to have brought me here to lose at one blow my heart, my liberty, and my peace of mind.
gpt
And find in return, of course, nothing but a hard-hearted, ungrateful woman! These are the conventional things that we all say. Now, I am going to do justice to Chance, that is at times kind to us, and I am inclined to believe that it has been so this time in bringing us two together. It may be that I shall have it to thank for the one blessing that was lacking in my life.
human
Adorable and mysterious lady, if only I could fall at your feet, and there swear that henceforth Léon de Préval, grateful and humble, will do all in his power to merit so sweet an avowal!
gpt
An avowal! she said.
human
You call that an avowal? Did one ever see anything to equal the presumption of these men?
gpt
But how can one help believing a little in what one so fondly hopes? May I not know who is the fascinating creature that takes a pleasure in teasing me? May I not raise the mask that hides the features--
human
Which perhaps are not so very plain!
gpt
If only I might see them for a moment, if I might but read there!
human
Can't you read all you need to know in my eyes?
gpt
They are bewitching, but suppose a sweet smile went with them?
human
No, you will never see me, never know me, and never will you learn anything about me.
gpt
Did one ever hear of such inconceivable caprice? It is useless, madame, for me to trouble you any longer. I see you are anxious to rejoin your friends. We must look for them.
human
Léon de Préval, that's your name, isn't it, she said dreamily,
gpt
What can that matter to you, cruel one, since you do not mean to see me ever again?
human
But what makes you think I don't mean to see you again? How little it takes to throw these wiseacres off their balance! I am, on the contrary, so determined to see you again that--
gpt
cried a woman's voice behind them.
human
We have been hunting for you these two hours past.
gpt
I am worn out with fatigue, and bored to death, said the lady who had just arrived upon the scene.
human
For pity's sake, let us go home.
gpt
With all my heart. There is nothing to keep me here any longer.
human
What, so soon? exclaimed Léon.
gpt
At least, you will not forbid me to accompany you to your carriage?
human
Be merciful, said Léon,
gpt
Ah, then he has got over his fit of temper?
human
Do not play with me now. I am about to lose you. How shall I be able to--
gpt
Well, there is just the possibility that I may come to the Mi-Carême ball here.
human
Three weeks to wait! Ye gods, three centuries!
gpt
Yes, three weeks, perhaps, and perhaps never.
human
I shall be dead by that time, dead with impatience and worry.
gpt
That will entirely upset my plans.
human
Your plans?