human
Come, come, said Jacques,
gpt
Do you think me a coward?
human
No, by heaven!
gpt
Well! And yet this Englishman, with his grotesque face, frightens me more than any tiger or my panther!
human
You say so, and I believe it, replied Jacques;
gpt
But consider, you dull knave! cried Morok,
human
Now, I understand, said Jacques, shuddering in his turn.
gpt
It is terrible.
human
Yes; for once there, though I may not see this cursed Englishman, I fancy I have his two round eyes, fixed and wide open, always before me. My tiger Cain once nearly mutilated my arm, when my attention was drawn away by this Englishman, whom the devil take! Blood and thunder! cried Morok:
gpt
Besides, Death lays her ears close to her skull, said Goliath, brutally.
human
If you persist--mind, I tell you--the Englishman will win his wager this evening.
gpt
Go away, you brute!--don't vex my head with your confounded predictions, cried Morok:
human
Well, every one to his taste; you wish the panther to taste you,
gpt
But if you feel these fears, said Jacques,
human
Have you ever heard of the fierce pleasure of the gamester, who stakes his honor, his life, upon a card? Well! I too--in these daily exhibitions where my life is at stake--find a wild, fierce pleasure in braving death, before a crowded assembly, shuddering and terrified at my audacity. Yes, even in the fear with which this Englishman inspires me, I find, in spite of myself, a terrible excitement, which I abhor, and which yet subjugates me.
gpt
May we give the signal, M. Morok? said the stage-manager.
human
The overture will not last above ten minutes.
gpt
I am ready,
human
The police-inspector has just now given orders, that the double chain of the panther, and the iron ring riveted to the floor of the stage, at the end of the cavern in the foreground, shall be again examined; and everything has been reported quite secure.
gpt
Yes--secure--except for me,
human
So, M. Morok, the signal may be given?
gpt
The signal may--be given,