human
You ride early, monsieur, the keeper said, glancing up at him from his occupation of throwing down some grain to his fowls, which he had just released for the day. Then, taking out a pocketbook,
gpt
Your name, monsieur, and destination?
human
Destination, Paris. Name---- and he paused. He had not anticipated this. Yet he must give a name and at once; at any moment from the city might appear a crowd, or the dragoons shouting to the man to bar his egress.
gpt
Name, Dubois. And I ride in haste. You have heard the news?
human
News! no, exclaimed the man, while even the peasants going to their toil pricked up their ears.
gpt
What news?
human
Tourville's fleet is ruined--burned--by the English! Stop me not. I ride to carry it. By orders!
gpt
the man exclaimed,
human
It is true, while as he spoke--still moving across the now lowered drawbridge as he did so--one of the peasants, an old woman, wailed:
gpt
My boy was there--in the Ambitieux! Is that burnt?
human
I do not know, good woman, he replied, unwilling to tell the poor old creature the worst.
gpt
I must not tarry.
human
But, he asked himself,