human
Your nephew seems quite attentive to your governess,
gpt
Indeed! In what way?
human
He has danced with her three or four times, I believe. It looks rather marked.
gpt
So it does, said Mrs. Leighton.
human
He is quite inconsiderate.
gpt
Oh, well, it is of no great consequence. She is quite stylish for a governess, and doubtless your nephew is taken with her.
human
That will not suit my views at all, said Mrs. Leighton, coldly.
gpt
I shall speak to her to-morrow.
human
Pray don't. It really is a matter of small consequence--quite natural, in fact.
gpt
Leave the matter with me. You have done quite right in mentioning it.
human
Please remain a moment, Miss Linden, she said.
gpt
I have a few words to say to you.
human
I am listening, madam,
gpt
I wish to speak to you about last evening, Miss Linden.
human
I hope my playing was satisfactory, Mrs. Leighton. I did my best.
gpt
I have no fault to find with your music. It came up to my expectations.
human
I am glad of that, madam.
gpt
I referred, rather, to your behavior, Miss Linden.
human
I don't understand you, Mrs. Leighton, Florence responded, in unaffected surprise.
gpt
Please explain.
human
You danced several times with my nephew, Mr. Percy de Brabazon.
gpt
Twice, madam.
human
I understood it was oftener. However, that is immaterial. You hardly seemed conscious of your position.
gpt
What was my position, Mrs. Leighton? asked Florence, quietly, looking her employer in the face.
human
Well--ahem! answered Mrs. Leighton, a little ill at ease,
gpt
Well?
human
And you acted as if you were an invited guest.
gpt
I am sorry you did not give me instructions as to my conduct, said the governess, coldly.
human
I should not have danced if I had been aware that it was prohibited.
gpt
I am sorry, Miss Linden, that you persist in misunderstanding me. Mr. de Brabazon, being in a different social position from yourself, it looked hardly proper that he should have devoted himself to you more than to any other lady.
human
Did he? I was not aware of it. Don't you think, under the circumstances, that he is the one whom you should take to task? I didn't invite his attentions.
gpt
You seemed glad to receive them.
human
I was. He is undoubtedly a gentleman.
gpt
Certainly he is. He is my nephew.
human
It was not my part to instruct him as to what was proper, surely.
gpt
You are very plausible. Miss Linden, I think it right to tell you that your conduct was commented upon by one of my lady guests as unbecoming. However, I will remember, in extenuation, that you are unaccustomed to society, and doubtless erred ignorantly.
human
Do you wish to speak further to me, Mrs. Leighton?
gpt
No, I think not.
human
Then I will bid you good-morning.