human
It's I, my dear Albert, said Tobie, speaking very loudly;
gpt
What! is it you, Tobie? where in the devil have you come from?
human
From home, of course.
gpt
And why didn't you come last evening to Place des Italiens, where somebody was waiting for you?
human
Oho! how do you know that?
gpt
Parbleu! because it was Mouillot, Balivan, Célestin, and I who made the appointment with you through Bastringuette.
human
Really?
gpt
We meant to play a practical joke on you, and we got ourselves arrested and put in the guardhouse!
human
Ha! ha! charming! delicious!
gpt
But tell me why you have come to see me so early in the day? have you come to redeem your fetich? Perhaps you don't know Varinet's address?
human
I didn't come for that, my friend. I have another reason; I have a favor to ask of you.
gpt
You want to borrow five hundred francs?
human
That isn't what I came for, but if you are willing to lend it to me, it would be very welcome just at this time.
gpt
Well, why did you come and disturb my sleep?
human
In the first place, my friend, it's late, and I wouldn't have waked you if your servant hadn't told me that you had something on hand this morning.
gpt
Great heaven! cried Albert, hastily throwing off the bedclothes;
human
About a quarter past nine.
gpt
I haven't a minute to lose, for I have a duel this morning at ten! Gad! I must make haste.
human
What's that? you are going to fight a duel? said Tobie, involuntarily recoiling from his friend, and concluding that Albert was aware of Madame Plays's hopes;
gpt
What in the devil are you talking about? do you mean to say that you know the cause of my duel with Count Dahlborne?
human
Count Dahlborne? oho! you're going to fight with him, are you?
gpt
To be sure.
human
No, I know nothing about that, he replied, running his hand through his hair;
gpt
I got it mixed up with something else. Imagine, if you please, that Madame Plays, whom I met last night, absolutely insists on my fighting with you.
human
Oh! as to her, it's a different matter. Poor woman! What answer did you make?
gpt
I promised to kill you for her.
human
Very good; listen--perhaps it can be arranged to suit you: if the count kills me, you must tell Madame Plays that you did it.
gpt
Oh! the idea! Poor Albert! I should be so distressed! Are you really going to fight?
human
Most certainly I am. By the way, as you are on the spot, you must be my second; for I shall not have time to send for anybody else.
gpt
Your second!
human
You don't mean to refuse, I trust?
gpt
You see, my dear fellow, if you should be wounded, I should be ill, I know.
human
Nonsense! you must overcome such weaknesses as that; you shall be my second, and I'll lend you five hundred francs to redeem your olive; and I give you leave to tell Madame Plays that you have beaten me, wounded me, killed me--whatever you choose.
gpt
I haven't the heart to refuse. I will sacrifice myself and be your second. Shall we breakfast?
human
I think not; but afterward, if I am the victor, there'll be nothing to prevent.