human
Well, Dimsdale?
gpt
It was about Sir Giles that I wanted to speak to your ladyship.
human
Well?
gpt
Sir Giles, my lady, is not himself--not at all himself, Dimsdale told her cautiously.
human
I was wondering just before you came in if I didn't ought to send for the doctor.
gpt
Why, Dimsdale?
human
It's not the same as usual, my lady. I've never seen him like this before. There's something--I don't rightly know what--about him that fair scares me. If your ladyship will only let me send for the doctor--
gpt
I don't think the doctor would be at home, she said at last.
human
Wait till the morning, Dimsdale--unless he is really ill.
gpt
My lady, it's not that, said Dimsdale.
human
There's nothing ails his body. But--but-- he faltered a little, and finally,
gpt
It's his mind, he said,
human
To whom, Dimsdale?
gpt
My lady--
human
To me? she questioned in a quiet, unmoved voice.
gpt
Why are you afraid of that?
human
Tell me,
gpt
He's been cutting your ladyship's portrait into strips and burning 'em in the study fire. It was dreadful to see him, so intent like and quiet. I saw him put his hand right into the flame once, and he didn't seem to know. And he came in in one of his black moods with his hunting-crop broken right in two. Carrying the pieces he was, and glaring like as if all the world was against him. I was afraid there would be trouble when he came home to lunch and found your ladyship not there.