human
I thank you, madame; it is too kind of you to believe that people think of me; but I have been in close retirement, as was very natural after the painful event of which I was the cause, and for which I reproach myself so bitterly! Ah! I dared not show my face!
gpt
This is very strange; it smells like a tobacco factory here!
human
You say that you were the cause of a painful occurrence?
gpt
To be sure; can it be that you have not heard of it?
human
I have not the faintest idea what you mean.
gpt
I supposed that it must have made a great sensation in society, and that is why I ran away and dared not come back! And you have not heard of the duel?
human
A duel!
gpt
Certainly; a duel about me--that is to say--I had no idea it would go so far. Mon Dieu! there are some women who like nothing better than to have men fight for them; but my remorse is terrible!
human
Who was the man who fought for you, madame?
gpt
Monsieur Albert Vermoncey and Monsieur Tobie Pigeonnier, two hot-headed youths who adored me. Oh! what a misfortune it is to arouse such passions! That young Albert had deceived me, it is true; but that was no reason---- Oh! how wrong it was of me to say that I wished to be avenged!
human
Monsieur Albert fought a duel for you, you say? When?
gpt
The day before I left Paris for the country--about two months and a half ago.
human
Well! what was the result of this duel?
gpt
Horrible, madame, shocking! Poor Albert was killed by that little Tobie--killed with a sword-thrust! That is the calamity of which I am the cause, and for which I shall never forgive myself!