human
I must have a bath and change now, said I at last.
gpt
At what time shall we dine?
human
We? You will be dining with your new friend.
gpt
She's an old friend, if one counts by time of acquaintance, and charming, as you've seen; still, we're rather tired perhaps, and not up to dinner pitch. I'm not sure but we'd get on better alone together, you and I.
human
I've taken a private sitting-room, and I'm going to dine there.
gpt
Will you have me with you?
human
If you like.
gpt
It will be a good opportunity to get your advice.
human
What were you going to ask me?
gpt
Your advice as to whether it would be well to fall in love with the little Contessa.
human
Has she money?
gpt
Hang it all, do you think I'm the kind of man to want a woman for her money?
human
I've known you about six days.
gpt
Don't hedge. Can't six days tell you as much as six years--such six days as we've had?
human
Yes. It's true. I would stake a good deal that you're not that kind of man. I don't know why I said it. Something hateful made me. The Contessa is very pretty. Could you--fall in love with her?
gpt
It would be an interesting experiment to try.
human
If you think so, you must already have begun.
gpt
No, not yet. I assure you I have an open mind. But it's an odd coincidence meeting her like this. I was making the fact that she has a house at Monte Carlo an excuse for going down there--sooner or later--as an end to my journey. Now, she is to be in Chamounix, and she intends to invite us both, it seems, to visit her in Aix-les-Bains, where she has taken a villa.
human
She is going to Chamounix?
gpt
So she says.
human
And--she will invite you to visit her at her villa in Aix-les-Bains.
gpt
You, too. You said yesterday you wanted to go to Aix, as you had never been; and we planned an expedition by the mule-path up Mont Revard.
human
I know. But--but would you visit the Contessa?
gpt
We might amuse ourselves. She would be well chaperoned, no doubt by the Baronessa. There's a brother of the Baron's in the background. Probably he'll turn up at Aix. Certainly he will if his relatives have any control over his actions. He's no other, it turns out, than Paolo di Nivoli, the young Italian whose airship invention has been made a fuss about lately. It would be rather a joke to try and cut him out with the Contessa--if one could.
human
Oh--cut him out. The Boy seemed thoughtful.
gpt
Though you aren't in love with her?
human
Yes.
gpt
I see.
human
Will you go if I do--that is, if she really asks us?
gpt
I'll think it over.
human
Desperate, proud, fond, sick, . . . rejected by men.