human
The Count, Madam!
gpt
Good day to you, my son,
human
I have come to seek you, dearest mother, as I know not, if, among the crowd of guests and amusements which surround us, I shall enjoy another opportunity of having a private conversation with you: will it please you to dismiss your women?
gpt
And why, my son? surely there /can/ be nothing between us which requires their absence; what is your reason?
human
I leave you to-morrow, Madam: is it strange that a son should wish to see his mother alone before his departure?
gpt
By no means, Morton; but your absence will not be very long, will it?
human
Forgive my importunity, dear Mother; but /will/ you dismiss your attendants?
gpt
If you wish it, certainly; but I dislike feeling alone, especially in these large rooms; nor did I think being unattended quite consistent with our rank: however, I never contradict you, my son,
human
Well, Morton, what is your wish?
gpt
Only to bid you farewell, and to ask if London contains nothing which you will commission me to obtain for you?
human
I am greatly obliged to you, my dear son; this is a very delicate attention on your part. I am informed that stomachers are worn a thought less pointed than they were. I care not, you well know, for such vanities; but respect for the memory of your illustrious father renders me desirous to retain a seemly appearance to the world, and my women shall give you written instructions thereon to Madame Tourville; she lives in St. James's Street, and is the only person to be employed in these matters. She is a woman who has known misfortune, and appreciates the sorrowful and subdued tastes of those whom an exalted station has not preserved from like afflictions. So you go to-morrow: will you get me the scissors? They are on the ivory table yonder. When do you return?
gpt
Perhaps never!
human
Never, Morton; how singular--why?
gpt
I may join the army, and be killed.
human
I hope not. Dear, how cold it is: will you shut the window? pray forgive my troubling you, but you /would/ send away the women. Join the army, you say? It is a very dangerous profession; your poor father might be alive now but for having embraced it; nevertheless, in a righteous cause, under the Lord of Hosts, there is great glory to be obtained beneath its banners. Alas, however, for its private evils! alas, for the orphan and the widow! You will be sure, my dear son, to give the note to Madame Tourville herself? Her assistants have not her knowledge of my misfortunes, nor indeed of my exact proportions; and at my age, and in my desolate state, I would fain be decorous in these things, and that reminds me of dinner. Have you aught else to say, Morton?
gpt
Yes! said I, suppressing my emotions,
human
Bless you, my child,--bless you! look you now; I have dropped my needle!