human
Ah! cried Vanbrugh, seizing the Advocate's arm, and thus arresting his steps,
gpt
I feared we had lost you. A fine time I have had of it down in your villa yonder! Had it not been for the storm, I should have been bundled before a magistrate on a charge of interloping; but everybody had enough to do to look after himself. It was a case of the devil take the hindmost. A scurvy trick, though, of yours, to desert a comrade; still, for my sake, I am glad to see you in the land of the living.
human
Have you come straight from the villa?
gpt
Straight! cried Vanbrugh with a derisive laugh.
human
I defy the soberest saint to walk straight for fifty yards in such a hurricane. Three bottles of wine would not make me so unsteady as this cursed wind--enough to stop one's breath for good or ill. What! you are not going on?
gpt
I am. What should hinder me?
human
Some small love of life--a trivial but human sentiment. There is no one in your house. It is by this time deserted by all but the rats.
gpt
My wife----
human
Was the last to leave, with a friend of yours, Christian Almer by name. He and I had some words together. Let me tell you. I happened to drop a remark concerning you which he considered disparaging, and had I been guilty of all the cardinal sins he could not have been more angered. A true friend--but probably he does not know what I know. Well for you that I did not enlighten him. You will meet them a little lower down on the road, but I advise you not to go too far. The valleys are rivers, carrying everything, headlong, in their course.
gpt
There was an old lawyer in the house. Do you know what has become of him?
human
I saw him perched on the back of a fool, and by their side a girl with the sweetest face, and an old woman I should take to be her grandmother.
gpt
Farewell, said the Advocate, wrenching himself free.
human
Should we meet again I will pay you for your friendly services.
gpt
Well said, replied Vanbrugh.
human
I am content. No man ever knew you to be false to your word. A woman perhaps--but that lies in the past. Ah, what a storm! It is as though the end of the world had come.
gpt
To those whose minutes are numbered, said the Advocate between his set teeth,
human
Farewell then, cried Vanbrugh, proceeding onward.
gpt
For my sake be careful of yourself. If this be not the Second Deluge I will seek you to-morrow.
human
For me, muttered the Advocate, as he left Vanbrugh,