human
Tell me about your own people, my young friend. Who is your father?
gpt
A country merchant, sir.
human
A well-to-do one, then, I judge.
gpt
He has prospered so well as to be reputed rich for a colony.
human
And you live at St. Elphège? In my time it was only a carrying-place for canoes, to avoid the rapid.
gpt
My father is the founder of the little place. He is known throughout our Province as 'The Merchant of St. Elphège.'
human
An honourable title, based on an honourable record no doubt. Would that we rightly respected trade in France. That is one of the nation's weaknesses. You have a mother and brothers?
gpt
A mother and two sisters--one married, the other at a convent in Quebec. My brother-in-law assists my father. We are very humble people.
human
Why have you come to France?
gpt
Because I have admired it since a child, from my mother's stories at her knee.
human
She came from France, then?
gpt
No, sir, but she was housekeeper in the house of Governor the Marquis de Beauharnois.
human
How is it your accent is so good? It is quite that of our gentry.
gpt
I learnt it at the Little Seminary, from the priests, who are gentlemen of Paris. There also the best families send their boys, and we young men grew up together. I have lived a little in Montreal too.
human
Ah, what is Montreal now like? Are the town walls still standing?
gpt
They surround the city, but the commander-in-chief talks of replacing them by avenues and a Champ de Mars.
human
The British garrison of course occupies the Arsenal, the British flag flies from the Citadel. Where does the British Governor reside?
gpt
At the Château de Ramezay.
human
But why not at the Château de Vaudreuil, where Governor de Vaudreuil dwelt? It was larger and its gardens finer.
gpt
That now belongs to Monsieur de Lotbinière.
human
De Lotbinière! the new Marquis! Lucky devil; but blue death, what changes!
gpt
I seem to find in you already, said the warm-hearted old Chevalier,
human
But----?
gpt
There is some hindrance then?
human
Alas, does your honour, perhaps, forget the differences of birth?
gpt
Differences of birth, my Germain, are illusions; you have the reality.
human
Would that I had the illusion,