human
Well, exclaimed the latter, when his friend came in sight,
gpt
I trust that we are satisfied! Victors! and not a scratch! That is a very agreeable ending. We shall eat breakfast enough for four.
human
Oh! I am indignant beyond words! I am furious!
gpt
The deuce you are! I don't understand at all. Are you furious because you aren't wounded?
human
Bah! I am not talking about the duel! It's that woman I am thinking of! that woman who has mocked at me and my love! who hoped, perhaps, that I would be killed!
gpt
Oho! so it was on a woman's account that you fought. They have the very devil in them, these women, to insist upon it that we should all fight for them!
human
I am going to her now, to confound her.--Whip up your horse, driver; you may drop me at Rue Neuve-Vivienne.--Do you, Tobie, go at once and find that messenger, and get my letter. You will understand that it must not be delivered to my father, for it would cause him unnecessary anxiety.
gpt
Oh! these women! these women! cried Albert;
human
I am utterly unable to understand this one. What coquetry! what perfidy!
gpt
It's Madame Baldimer, isn't it?
human
Yes; it is she! Oh! I will tell the whole world of her shameful conduct! Our homage is not enough for her; she must have our blood!
gpt
Thanks! she shan't have mine; I wouldn't prick myself with a pin for her. But, by the way--what about our duel--concerning Madame Plays?
human
Tell her that you killed me.
gpt
Killed you!
human
You can safely say that, as I am going to leave Paris for several months. I want to divert my thoughts; above all things, I want to forget that woman who has made a plaything of my affection. I shall start this very evening.
gpt
All right; it's agreed that I have killed you, that you are dead. She will find out later that it isn't true; but what do I care? when she has once accorded me her favors, she can't take them back. Such things, when they're once given, aren't to be taken back. To be sure, although they give them away, they still have them; that is very agreeable for those who like to be generous.
human
Now, go at once and find the messenger, so that he won't carry the letter to my father.
gpt
Yes, yes! I will go. But I say, Albert, you promised to lend me--you know--the money to redeem my olive.
human
Oh, yes! Well, come to the house soon--this evening; I will give you the money.
gpt
I won't fail. By the way, you will gratify me by not telling the other fellows that----