human
Ah, yes, even the greatest, Countess Anna interposed with a laugh,
gpt
They are the worst of all. Artistic mediocrities acquire a certain drawing-room polish far sooner than do the great geniuses who live in a world of their own. And, after all, average good manners are only the dress-suit for average men: they rarely sit well upon a genius. I care very little for them: a little _naïve_ awkwardness does not displease me at all; on the contrary, to be quite to my mind an artist must always have something of the bear about him: I take no interest whatever in those trim dandies, 'gentlemen artists,' who think more of the polish of their boots than of their art.
human
Nor do I,
gpt
H'm! your discourse is always very instructive, the 'wicked fairy' declared,
human
She sighed tragically and arose. As she did so, her fur boa slipped from her shoulders to the ground. Erika picked it up and handed it to her. The 'wicked fairy' stared at the young girl through her eye-glass, surprise slowly dawning in her distorted features.
gpt
You are the grand-daughter from Bohemia?
human
Yes, Frau Countess.
gpt
Ah, excuse me: I have been taking you all this time for my dear Anna's companion. Now I remember she died last year: I sent some flowers to her funeral. Poor thing! she was desperately tiresome, but an excellent girl; you must remember her, my dear Goswyn. You used to call her the Duke of Wellington, because she was a little deaf and used to go on talking without hearing what was said to her. How could I make such a mistake! But I am very near-sighted, and very absent-minded. She put her finger beneath Erika's chin and smiled an indescribable smile.
human
And you are very pretty, my dear. What is your name?
gpt
Erika.
human
Erika!--Heather Blossom! And you come from Bohemia. How poetic!--how poetic! She is positively charming, this grand-daughter of yours, Anna! Do you not think so, Goswyn?
gpt
I must go: I seem to be saying the wrong thing, Countess Brock ran on; then, looking towards the window,
human
Good heavens! she exclaimed,
gpt
Erika, ring the bell,
human
But, my dear Countess Erika, why send for a droschky, when my carriage is waiting below, and it will give me the greatest pleasure to drive Countess Brock home?--Surely you will permit me?
gpt
I really cannot. I know you far too slightly to impose such a burden upon you,
human
Why call it a burden? it is a pleasure,
gpt
There is no pleasure in driving with me: I am forced to have all the windows closed,