human
Sorry to intrude, Mr. Miller began, with an affability which he meant to be reassuring.
gpt
Mr. Tallente, will you introduce me to the lady?
human
Lady Jane, he said,
gpt
I must apologize for this intrusion, Lady Jane, and to you, Tallente, of course. Mr. Tallente is naturally surprised to see me. He and I are political opponents,
human
Are you Mr. Miller, the Democrat M.P.? she asked,--
gpt
At your ladyship's service, he replied, with a low bow.
human
I am afraid if you are a friend of Mr. Tallente's you must look upon me as a very disagreeable person.
gpt
If the newspapers are to be believed, your strategies up at Hellesfield scarcely give one an exalted idea of your tactics, she replied coldly.
human
They all seem to agree that Mr. Tallente was cheated out of his seat.
gpt
All's fair in love and politics, Lady Jane, he declared.
human
We Democrats have our programme, and our motto is that those who are not with us are against us. Mr. Tallente here knew pretty well what he was up against.
gpt
On the contrary, Tallente interrupted,
human
Certainly, was the gracious reply.
gpt
You have a very distinguished visitor over at the Manor, waiting there to see you. I came over with him and found your car on the point of starting. I took the liberty of hunting you up so that there should be no delay in your return.
human
And who may this distinguished visitor he? Tallente enquired, with unconscious sarcasm.
gpt
Stephen Dartrey, Miller answered.
human
He and Miss Miall and I are staying not far from you.
gpt
Stephen Dartrey? Lady Jane murmured.
human
Dartrey? Tallente echoed.
gpt
Do you mean to say that he is over at the Manor now?
human
Waiting to see you, Miller announced, and for a moment there was a little gleam of displeasure in his eyes. Lady Jane sighed.
gpt
Now, if only you'd brought him over with you, Mr. Miller, she said, a shade more amiably,
human
Miller smiled tolerantly.
gpt
Dartrey is a very difficult person, he declared.
human
Although he is the leader of our party, and before very long will be the leader of the whole Labour Party, although he could be Prime Minister to-morrow if he cared about it; he is one of the most retiring men whom I ever knew. At the present moment I believe that he would have preferred to have remained living his hermit's life, a writer and a dilettante, if circumstances had not dragged him into politics. He lives in the simplest way and hates all society save the company of a few old cronies.
gpt
What does Dartrey want with me? Tallente interrupted, a little brusquely.
human
It is no part of my mission to explain, Miller replied.
gpt
I undertook to come here and beg you to return at once. Tallente turned to Lady Jane.
human
You will forgive me? he begged.
gpt
In any case, I must have been going in a few minutes.
human
I should forgive you even if you went without saying good-by, she replied,
gpt
she went on pleasantly, as she walked by his side towards the door and across the hall, rather ignoring Miller, who followed behind,
human
I must tell Dartrey this, Miller remarked from behind.
gpt
I am sure he'll be flattered.
human
What can he want with you?
gpt
I can't tell, Tallente confessed.
human
His visit puzzles me. He is the hermit of politics. He seldom makes advances and has few friends. He is, I believe, a man with the highest sense of honour. Perhaps he has come to explain to me why they threw me out at Hellesfield.
gpt
In any case, she said, as they stood for a moment on the step,
human
I feel that something exciting is going to happen.
gpt
Sorry to have taken your guest away, Lady Jane, he said.
human
It's an important occasion, however. Would you like me to bring Dartrey over, if we are out this way before we go back?
gpt
No, I don't think so, she answered quietly.
human
I might have an illusion dispelled. Thank you very much, all the same.
gpt
You will let me know?
human
I will, he promised.
gpt
It is probably just a visit of courtesy. Dartrey must feel that he has something to explain about Hellesfield.