human
I was saying, she remarked presently,
gpt
At least, I may thank you for your sympathy, Madam!
human
Yet in time, she went on, gone reflective the next instant,
gpt
Indeed, there is, as you say, something of a turmoil regarding them in our institutions as they are at present formed.
human
Because the average of humanity thinks so little. Most of us judge life from its emotions. We do not search the depths.
gpt
If I could oblige Madam by abolishing society and home and humanity, I should be very glad--because, of course, that is what Madam means!
human
At any cost, she mused,
gpt
Yes, if, indeed, it be not the most important thing in the world for us to marry, at least it is important that we should think so. Madam is philosopher this morning,
human
To continue the crucifixion of the soul, to continue the misapprehensions, the debasings of contact with human life--yes, I suppose one must pay all that for the sake of the gaining of a purpose. Yet there are those who would endure much for the sake of principle, Monsieur. Some such souls are born, do you not think?
gpt
Yes, Sphinx souls, extraordinary, impossible for the average of us to understand.
human
That torch of _life_! she mused.
gpt
See! It was only _that_ which you were so eager to pass on to another generation! That was why you were so mad to hasten to the side of that woman. Whereas, she mused still,
human
I do not understand.
gpt
The general business of offspring goes on unceasingly in all the nations, she resumed frankly.
human
There will be children, whether or not you and I ever find some one wherewith to mate in the compromise which folk call wedlock. But _principles_--ah! my friend, who is to give those to others who follow us? What rare and splendid wedlock brings forth _that_ manner of offspring?
gpt
Madam, in the circumstances, said I,
human
I should be happy to serve you more omelet.
gpt
Do not philosophize with me, I said.
human
I am already distracted by the puzzle you offer to me. You are so young and beautiful, so fair in your judgment, so kind--
gpt
In turn, I ask you not to follow that, she remarked coldly.
human
Let us talk of what you call, I think, business.
gpt
Nothing could please me more. I have slept little, pondering on this that I do call business. To begin with, then, you were there at the Château Ramezay last night. I would have given all I had to have been there for an hour.
human
There are certain advantages a woman may have.
gpt
But you were there? You know what went forward?
human
Certainly.
gpt
Did they know you were present?
human
Monsieur is somewhat importunate!
gpt
I should be glad if it were possible to answer you, she said at last enigmatically;
human
Madam, I exclaimed,
gpt
You do not know what you are saying,
human
Are you then an enemy of my country? I demanded.
gpt
If I thought you were here to prove traitress to my country, you should never leave this room except with me. You shall not leave it now until you have told me what you are, why you are here, what you plan to do!
human
At my own table!
gpt
My dear lady, I began again,
human
Were you, then, married?
gpt
Any moment may mean everything to us. I should not ask these questions if I did not know that you were close to Mr. Calhoun.
human
I may say this much, Monsieur, that it has pleased me to gain a little further information.
gpt
You will give my government that information?
human
Why should I?
gpt
Yet you spoke of others who might come here. What others? Who are they? The representatives of Mexico? Some attaché of the British Embassy at Washington? Some minister from England itself, sent here direct?
human
I told you not to go back to your hotel, did I not?
gpt
You interest me sometimes, she went on slowly, at last,
human
I do not deny that suggestion, Madam.
gpt
But you are unable to analyze. Thus, in the matter of yourself. I suppose if you were told of it, you would only say that you forgot to look in the toe of the slipper you had.
human
Thus far, Baroness, I said soberly,
gpt
I have asked no special privilege, at least. Now, if it affords you any pleasure, I _beg_ you, I _implore_ you, to tell me what you mean!
human
Did you credit the attaché of Mexico with being nothing more than a drunken rowdy, to follow me across town with a little shoe in his carriage?
gpt
But you said he was in wine.
human
True. But would that be a reason? Continually you show your lack of brain in accepting as conclusive results which could not possibly have occurred. _Granted_ he was in wine, _granted_ he followed me, _granted_ he had my shoe in his possession--what then? Does it follow that at the ball at the White House he could have removed that shoe? Does Monsieur think that I, too, was in wine?
gpt
I agree that I have no brain! I can not guess what you mean. I can only beg once more that you explain.
human
Now listen. In your most youthful and charming innocence I presume you do not know much of the capabilities for concealment offered by a lady's apparel! Now, suppose I had a message--where do you think I could hide it; granted, of course, the conditions obtaining at a ball in the White House?
gpt
Then you did have a message? It came to you there, at that time?
human
Certainly. Mr. Van Zandt had almost no other opportunity to meet me or get word to me.
gpt
You come on, she said.
human
Should your head be opened and analyzed, yes, I think a trace of brain might be discovered by good chemistry.
gpt
You put his message in your slipper?
human
Yes, she said,
gpt
So small a shoe could not have held an extended epistle, Madam,
human
No, but the little roll of paper caused me anguish. After I had danced I was on the point of fainting. I hastened to the cover of the nearest curtain, where I might not be noticed. Señor Yturrio of Mexico was somewhat vigilant. He wished to know what Texas planned with England. He has long made love to me--by threats, and jewels. As I stood behind the curtain I saw his face, I fled; but one shoe--the empty one--was not well fastened, and it fell. I could not walk. I reached down, removed the other shoe with its note, hid it in my handkerchief--thank Providence for the fashion of so much lace--and so, not in wine, Monsieur, as you may believe, and somewhat anxious, as you may also believe, expecting to hear at once of an encounter between Van Zandt and the Mexican minister, Señor Almonte, or his attaché Yturrio, or between one of them and some one else, I made my adieux--I will warrant the only woman in her stocking feet who bowed for Mr. Tyler at the ball that night!
gpt
Yes, so far as I know, Madam, you are the only lady who ever left the East Room precisely so clad. And so you got into your own carriage--alone--after a while? And so, when you were there you put on the shoe which was left? And so Yturrio of Mexico got the other one--and found nothing in it! And so, he wanted this one!
human
You come on, she said.
gpt
You have something more than a trace of brain.
human
And that other shoe, which _I_ got that night?
gpt
Is that answer worth more than Van Zandt?
human
Yes,