human
Pray remember that any uncomplimentary remarks I may make in your presence with regard to the weaker sex have no reference to you. When I talk of your sex in general I never think of you: you are an exception.
gpt
We have both known that for a long while: have we not, Erika?
human
But what is the cause of all this splendour, Countess Erika? asks Treurenberg, changing the subject.
gpt
It is the first time that I have had the pleasure of seeing you in full dress.
human
Erika is beginning to go out a little to please me, the old Countess explains.
gpt
I told her that, thanks to her passion for retirement, it would shortly be reported that she was either out of her mind or suffering from a disappointment in love. As this does not seem to her desirable, she has consented to go with me to Constance Mühlberg.
human
I should have gone to Constance Mühlberg at all events, only I should not have chosen her reception-day for my visit,
gpt
When a woman is so thoroughly formed for society as you are, Countess Erika, she has no right to retire from it,
human
Shall we see you at Countess Mühlberg's, Count?
gpt
Not to-night. I must go to-night to the Rambouillet of Venice.
human
Oh! to the Neerwinden?
gpt
Yes. Why do you ladies never go there?
human
To speak frankly, I had no idea that one ought to go,
gpt
Why not? Because of the Countess's reputation? Let me assure you that all ruins are the fashion in Venice. You are quite wrong to stay away from the Salon Neerwinden: it is an historical curiosity, and, to me, more interesting than the Doge's palace.
human
But even if I should go to the Neerwinden I could not take this child with me!
gpt
Why not? The Salon Neerwinden is by no means such a pest-house of infectious moral disease as you seem to think. And then nothing could harm the Countess Erika: her life is a charmed one.
human
Do I intrude, Hans?
gpt
You always intrude.
human
You know, Hans, we must go first to the Gregoriewitsch; and we shall be late.
gpt
Confound the fellow! murmurs the Count; nevertheless he rises to follow Schmytt, and kisses the fingertips of each lady in token of farewell.
human
Countess Erika, he says, with a final glance of admiration,
gpt
he adds, turning to the grandmother;
human
But, Hans, the Princess will be waiting,
gpt
I am coming.
human
I cannot help it, but I have a slight weakness for that old sinner, she says.
gpt
He is so typical,--a genuine Austrian cavalier,--_fin de siècle_, witty without depth, good-natured with no heart, aristocrat to his finger-tips, without one single unprejudiced conviction. How you impressed him to-night! I do not wonder. Lozoncyi ought to see you now: what a splendid portrait he would make of you! H'm! do you know I really should like to go to a Neerwinden evening?
human
That you may have the pleasure of seeing Herr von Lozoncyi in all his glory?