human
I'm damned glad to hear it!
gpt
There, I like that! You've still got your witty sense of repartee. Always to the point. Damned clever of you!
human
I must leave you. I must go to Mrs. Uxeley.
gpt
Stay and sit with me a little longer. It does me good to talk to you.
human
Then restrain yourself a bit and don't 'damn' quite so much. I've not been used to it lately.
gpt
I'll do my best. Sit down.
human
Let me tell you that you have positively become a very ... a very beautiful woman. Now is that like a compliment?
gpt
It sounds more like one.
human
Well, it's the best I can do, you know. So you must make the most of it. And now tell me about Rome. How were you living there?
gpt
Why should I tell you about it?
human
Because I'm interested.
gpt
You have no need to be interested.
human
I dare say, but I happen to be. I've never quite forgotten you. And I should be surprised if you had me.
gpt
I have, quite,
human
Is it true, what they say at the Hague? About Van der Staal?
gpt
Come, out with it!
human
Yes.
gpt
You are a cheeky baggage! Do you no longer care a straw for the whole boiling of them?
human
No.
gpt
And how do you manage here, with this old hag?
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Do they just accept you here, at Nice?
human
I don't brag about my independence; and no one is able to comment on my conduct here.
gpt
Where is Van der Staal?
human
At Florence.
gpt
Why isn't he here?
human
I'm not going to answer any more questions. You are indiscreet. It has nothing to do with you and I won't be cross-examined.
gpt
Really, Rudolph, you must let me go, she entreated.
human
I have to go to Mrs. Uxeley. They are to dance a pavane in the ball-room and I have to ask for instructions and hand them on. Let me pass.
gpt
Then I'll take you there. Let me offer you my arm.
human
Rudolph, do go away! Don't you see how you're upsetting me? This meeting has been so unexpected. Do let me go, or I sha'n't be able to control myself. I'm going to cry.... Why did you speak to me, why did you speak to me, why did you come here, where you knew that you would meet me?
gpt
Because I wanted to see one of Mrs. Uxeley's parties and because I wanted to meet you.
human
You must understand that it upsets me to see you again. What good does it do you? We are dead to each other. Why should you want to pester me like this?
gpt
That's just what I wanted to know, whether we are dead to each other....
human
Dead, dead, quite dead!
gpt
Come, don't be so theatrical. You can understand that I was curious to see you again and talk to you. I used to see you in the street, in your carriage, on the Jetée; and I was pleased to find you looking so well, so smart, so happy and so handsome. You know that good-looking women are my great hobby. You are much better-looking than you used to be when you were my wife. If you had been then what you are now, I should never have allowed you to divorce me.... Come, don't be a child. No one knows here. I think it damned jolly to meet you here, to have a good old yarn with you and to have you leaning on my arm. Take my arm. Don't make a fuss and I'll take you where you want to go. Where shall we find Mrs. Uxeley? Introduce me ... as a friend from Holland....
human
Rudolph....
gpt
Oh, I insist: don't bother! There's nothing in it! It amuses me and it's no end of a lark to walk about with one's divorced wife at a ball at Nice. A delightful town, isn't it? I go to Monte Carlo every day and I've been damned lucky. Won three thousand francs yesterday. Will you come with me one day?
human
You're mad!
gpt
I'm not mad at all. I want to enjoy myself. And I'm proud to have you on my arm.
human
Well, you needn't be.
gpt
Now don't get spiteful. That's all rot: let's enjoy ourselves. There is the old girl: she's looking at you.