human
Are you very miserable, Hadria?
gpt
I am benumbed a little now, Hadria replied.
human
That must be, if one is to go on at all. It is a provision of nature, I suppose. All that was threatening before I went to Paris, is now being fulfilled. I can scarcely realize how I could ever have had the hopefulness to make that attempt. I might have known I could not succeed, as things are. How _could_ I? But I am glad of the memory. It pains me sometimes, when all the acute delight and charm return, at the call of some sound or scent, some vivid word; but I would not be without the memory and the dream--my little illusion.
gpt
Supposing, said Valeria after a long pause,
human
I don't know. It is my impression that in my life, as in the lives of most women, all roads lead to Rome. Whether one does this or that, one finds oneself in pretty much the same position at the end. It doesn't answer to rebel against the recognized condition of things, and it doesn't answer to submit. Only generally one _must_, as in my case. A choice of calamities is not always permitted.
gpt
It is so difficult to know which is the least,
human
I don't believe there _is_ a 'least.' They are both unbearable. It is a question which best fits one's temperament, which leads soonest to resignation.
gpt
Oh, Hadria, you would never achieve resignation!
human
Oh, some day, perhaps!