human
Wish to speak to _me_, sir?
gpt
Only a word, if you allow me,
human
Well, sir, I hear you,
gpt
You don't recognise me, Sir Booth; and I fear when I introduce myself, you will hardly connect my name with anything pleasant or friendly. I only ask a patient hearing, and I am sure your own sense of fairness will excuse me personally.
human
Before you say, more, sir, I should like to know for whom you take me, and why; I don't recollect _you_--I _think_--I can't see very well--no one does in this sort of light; but I rather think, I never saw your face before, sir--nor you mine, I dare say--your guesses as to who I am, may be anything you please--and quite mistaken--and this is not a usual time, you know, for talking with strangers about business--and, in fact, I've come here for quiet and my health, and I can't undertake to discuss other people's affairs--I find my own as much as my health and leisure will allow me to attend to.
gpt
Sir Booth Fanshawe, you must excuse me for saying I know you perfectly. I am also well aware that you seek a little repose and privacy here, and you may rely implicitly upon my mentioning your name to no one; in fact, I have been for some weeks aware of your residing at Malory, and never _have_ mentioned it to any one.
human
Ha! you're _very_ kind, indeed--taking _great_ care of me, sir; you are very obliging, said Sir Booth, sarcastically,
gpt
I'm sure; ha, ha! I ought to be very grateful. And to whom, may I ask, do I owe all this attention to my--my _interests_ and comforts?
human
I am connected, Sir Booth, with a house that has unfortunately been a good deal opposed, in politics, to yours. There are reasons which make this particularly painful to me, although I have been by the direction of others, whom I had no choice but to obey, more in evidence in these miserable contests than I could wish; I've really been little more than a passive instrument in the hands of others, absolutely without power, or even influence of my own in the matter. You don't recognise me, but you have seen me elsewhere. My name is Cleve Verney.