human
I shall tell him it did not, she says, rather dolefully, to herself,
gpt
Do you know, asks Eugene, at dinner,
human
I _had_ forgotten it, and I ought to have sent regrets. But you will go?
gpt
It will be no end of a bore without you.
human
How long since my presence has added such a charm to festive occasions?
gpt
Well, I ought to stay at home with you,
human
I am not afraid. The servants will be here.
gpt
I don't want to go, he returns, candidly.
human
I would much sooner remain at home.
gpt
I wonder, Violet says,
human
and she pauses, with a furtive glance at Cecil, who is deep in the delights of chocolate ice.
gpt
You were so much younger.
human
I have been a fool, says the young man, candidly.
gpt
But you need not take her part. If you could have seen the way she dropped down upon us last summer, the swift dazzle she made everywhere! I had to drive her out and play the agreeable, for Floyd couldn't stir without Cecil, and he was full of business beside. Then she never seemed much older than--why, Gertrude was ages older than either of us. So she smiled and smiled, and I was an idiot. She was always asking me to come, and the truth is, she is a handsome and fascinating woman, and will have adoration. Look at Ward Dyckman. He is only twenty-six, and he is wild about her, but he has piles of money.
human
Yet she never seems to _do_ anything,
gpt
To _do_ would be vulgar and would not fascinate well-bred people. It is in her eyes, in her voice, in the very atmosphere about her, and she _is_ wonderfully beautiful. She isn't the spider, she does not spin a net, but she looks at the mouse out of great, soft eyes, and he comes nearer, nearer, and she plays with him, until he is dull and maimed and tiresome, when she gently pushes him away, and is done with him.
human
There, let her go, says Eugene, loftily.
gpt
And since I don't care to see her to-night, nor the two cream-and-sugar Dyckman girls, nor--anybody, we will stay at home.