human
Our respective roles seem to me somewhat inverted, she said:
gpt
Heaven preserve me from such an idea! but I am afraid lest you may deprive yourself, out of kindness to me, of a pleasure you are so fond of.
human
No! I know very well that I seek you and you avoid me. It is rather absurd in the eyes of the world, but I care nothing for that. For this one evening at least, I mean to amuse myself as I like. I forbid you to disturb my happiness. I am really very happy. I have everything I require--beautiful flowers, excellent music around me, and a friend at my side. Only--and that's a dark spot on my blue sky--I am much more certain of the music and the flowers than I am of the friend.
gpt
You are entirely wrong.
human
Explain your conduct, then, once for all. Why will you never talk seriously with me? Why do you obstinately refuse to tell me one single word that savors of confidence, of intimacy--of friendship, in a word?
gpt
Please reflect for a minute, madam; where would that lead us to?
human
What is that to you? That would lead us where it would. It is singular that you should be more anxious about it than I am.
gpt
Come, what would you think of me if I ventured to speak of love to you?
human
I don't ask you to make love to me!
gpt
I know it, madam; and yet it is the inevitable turn my language would take if it ceased for a moment to be frivolous and commonplace. Now, admit that there is one man in the world who could not speak of love to you without incurring your contempt, and that I am that very man. I cannot say that I am very much pleased with having placed myself in such a position; but, after all, it is so, and I cannot forget it.
human
That is showing a great deal of judgment.
gpt
That is showing a great deal of courage.
human
Do you know that you have just spoken to me as if I were what is called a 'fast' woman?
gpt
Oh! madam!
human
Of course, you think that I can never attribute to a man who pays his addresses to me any but improper intentions. If it were so, I would deserve being called a 'fast' woman, and I do not. I know you don't believe it, but it is the pure truth, as there is a God--yes, as there is a God! God knows me, and I pray to Him much oftener than is thought. He has kept me from doing harm thus far, and I hope He will keep me from it forever; but it is a thing of which He has not the sole control--
gpt
You can do much toward it.
human
I, madam?
gpt
I have allowed you to take, I know not how--I really do not know how!--a great influence over my destiny. Will you be willing to use it? That is the question.
human
And in what capacity could I do so, pray, madam?
gpt
Ah! she exclaimed, in a hoarse and energetic accent,