human
You condemn me? she asked at length.
gpt
Because I live alone, because quiet rumor wags a tongue, you will judge me by your own creed and not by mine?
human
Madam, I have already told you that I would not. I say once more that I accredit you with living up to your own creed, whatever that may have been.
gpt
Monsieur, you have done yourself no ill turn in that.
human
It was rumored in diplomatic circles, of course, that you were in touch with the ministry of England, I ventured.
gpt
I myself saw that much.
human
Naturally. Of Mexico also! At least, as you saw in our little carriage race, Mexico was desirous enough to establish some sort of communication with my humble self!
gpt
Calhoun was right! I exclaimed.
human
He was entirely right, Madam, in insisting that I should bring you to him that morning, whether or not you wished to go.
gpt
Whim fits with whim sometimes. `Twas his whim to see me, mine to go.
human
I wonder what the Queen of Sheba would have said had Solomon met her thus!
gpt
You see, when you left me at Mr. Calhoun's door in care of the Grand Vizier James, I wondered somewhat at this strange country of America. The _entresol_ was dim and the Grand Vizier was slow with candles. I half fell into the room on the right. There was Mr. Calhoun bolt upright in his chair, both hands spread out on the arms. As you promised, he wore a red nightcap and long gown of wool. He was asleep, and ah! how weary he seemed. Never have I seen a face so sad as his, asleep. He was gray and thin, his hair was gray and thin, his eyes were sunken, the veins were corded at his temples, his hands were transparent. He was, as you promised me, old. Yet when I saw him I did not smile. He heard me stir as I would have withdrawn, and when he arose to his feet he was wide-awake. Monsieur, he is a great man; because, even so clad he made no more apology than you do, showed no more curiosity; and he welcomed me quite as a gentleman unashamed--as a king, if you please.
human
How did he receive you, Madam? I asked.
gpt
I never knew.
human
Why, took my hand in both his, and bowed as though I indeed were queen, he a king.
gpt
Then you got on well?
human
Truly; for he was wiser than his agent, Monsieur. He found answers by asking questions.
gpt
Ah, you were kinder to him than to me?
human
Naturally.
gpt
For instance, he asked--
human
What had been my ball gown that night--who was there--how I enjoyed myself! In a moment we were talking as though we had been friends for years. The Grand Vizier brought in two mugs of cider, in each a toasted apple. Monsieur, I have not seen diplomacy such as this. Naturally, I was helpless.
gpt
Did he perhaps ask how you were induced to come at so impossible a time? My own vanity, naturally, leads me to ask so much as that.
human
No, Mr. Calhoun confined himself to the essentials! Even had he asked me I could not have replied, because I do not know, save that it was to me a whim. But at least we talked, over our cider and toasted apples.
gpt
You told him somewhat of yourself?
human
He did not allow me to do that, Monsieur.
gpt
But he told you somewhat of this country?
human
Ah, yes, yes! So then I saw what held him up in his work, what kept him alive. I saw something I have not often seen--a purpose, a principle, in a public man. His love for his own land touched even me, how or why I scarcely know. Yes, we spoke of the poor, the oppressed, of the weary and the heavy laden.
gpt
Did he ask you what you knew of Mexico and England?
human
Rather what I knew of the poor in Europe. I told him some things I knew of that hopeless land, that priest-ridden, king-ridden country--my own land. Then he went on to tell me of America and its hope of a free democracy of the people. Believe me, I listened to Mr. Calhoun. Never mind what we said of Mr. Van Zandt and Sir Richard Pakenham. At least, as you know, I paid off a little score with Sir Richard that next morning. What was strangest to me was the fact that I forgot Mr. Calhoun's attire, forgot the strangeness of my errand thither. It was as though only our minds talked, one with the other. I was sorry when at last came the Grand Vizier James to take Mr. Calhoun's order for his own carriage, that brought me home--my second and more peaceful arrival there that night. The last I saw of Mr. Calhoun was with the Grand Vizier James putting a cloak about him and leading him by force from his study to his bed, as I presume. As for me, I slept no more that night. Monsieur, I admit that I saw the purpose of a great man. Yes; and of a great country.
gpt
Then I did not fail as messenger, after all! You told Mr. Calhoun what he desired to know?
human
In part at least. But come now, was I not bound in some sort of honor to my great and good friend, Sir Richard? Was it not treachery enough to rebuke him for his attentions to the Doña Lucrezia?
gpt
But you promised to tell Mr. Calhoun more at a later time?
human
On certain conditions I did,
gpt
I do not know that I may ask those?
human
You would be surprised if I told you the truth? What I required of Mr. Calhoun was permission and aid still further to study his extraordinary country, its extraordinary ways, its extraordinary ignorance of itself. I have told you that I needed to travel, to study, to observe mankind--and those governments invented or tolerated by mankind.
gpt
Since then, Madam, I concluded, stepping to assist her with her chair, as she signified her completion of our repast,
human
At what hotel do you stop?
gpt
The little place of Jacques Bertillon, a square or so beyond the Place d'Armes.
human
In that case, said she,
gpt
But what else?
human
Be my guest to-night! she said suddenly.
gpt
There is danger--
human
For me? I laughed.
gpt
At my hotel? On the streets?
human
No, for me.
gpt
Where?
human
Here.
gpt
And of what, Madam?
human
Of a man; for the first time I am afraid, in spite of all.
gpt
Are you not afraid of _me?_
human
With the fear which draws a woman to a man,
gpt
Whereas, mine is the fear which causes a man to flee from himself!
human
But you will remain for my protection? I should feel safer. Besides, in that case I should know the answer.
gpt
How do you mean?
human
I should know whether or not you were married!