human
I knew it, she said quietly.
gpt
I have known you by sight for some time.
human
And you were not afraid to speak to such a dangerous scoundrel?
gpt
You don't strike me as being very formidable, she answered.
human
Moreover, if you remember, it was you who spoke first.
gpt
To be sure, he said.
human
It was all of a piece with my habitual confounded audacity. Shall I tell you something more? I wonder whether I dare.
gpt
Wait! she said imperatively.
human
It is my turn to tell you something, though it is more than possible that you know it already. Mr. Errol, I am--Lady Carfax!
gpt
I did know, he said, in a tone from which all hint of banter had departed.
human
But I thank you none the less for telling me. I much doubted if you would. And that brings me to my second--or is it my third?--confession. I did not take you for Mrs. Damer in the card-room a little while ago. I took you for no one but yourself. No man of ordinary intelligence could do otherwise. But I had been wanting to make your acquaintance all the evening, and no one would be kind enough to present me. So I took the first opportunity that occurred, trusting to the end to justify the means.
gpt
But why have you told me?
human
Because I think you are a woman who appreciates the truth.
gpt
I am, she said.
human
But I do not often hear it as I have heard it to-night
gpt
Say, Lady Carfax, let me go and kick that old scandal-monger into the middle of next week!
human
No, you mustn't, she said, laughing faintly.
gpt
The fault was ours. You know the ancient adage about listeners. We deserved it all.
human
Don't talk about deserts! he exclaimed, with unexpected vehemence.
gpt
He doesn't deserve to have a whole bone left in his body for speaking of you so. Neither do I for suffering it in my presence!
human
You could not have done otherwise. Believe me, I am not altogether sorry that you were with me when it happened. It is just as well that you should know the truth, and I could not have told it you myself. Come, shall we go down?
gpt
Wait a minute! he said.
human
Let me know how I stand with you first. Have you decided to pass over that lie of mine, or are you going to cut me next time we meet?
gpt
I shall not cut you,
human
You are going to acknowledge me then with the coldest of nods, which is even more damnable,
gpt
Mr. Errol, she said gently,
human
Then we are friends?
gpt
Yes, we are friends; but it is very unlikely that we shall meet again. I cannot invite you to call.
human
And you won't call either on my mother?
gpt
I am afraid not.
human
So let it be! he said.
gpt
But I fancy we shall meet again notwithstanding. So _au revoir_, Lady Carfax! Can you find your own way down?
human
Good-bye, Sir Jester!
gpt
Farewell to your most gracious majesty!