human
Where am I?
gpt
You are in a private room of St. Felix Hospital,
human
Hospital? What for? What's the matter with me?
gpt
There was an accident with a pistol in Miss Pellissier's room,
human
Accident! She shot me, he muttered.
gpt
I had found her at last, and she shot me. Listen, you. Am I going to die?
human
I am afraid that you are in a dangerous state, Courtlaw answered gravely.
gpt
The nurse will fetch the doctor directly. I wanted to speak to you first.
human
Who are you?
gpt
I am a friend of Miss Pellissier's,
human
Which one?
gpt
The Miss Pellissier in whose rooms you were, and who sings at the 'Unusual,' Courtlaw answered.
human
The Miss Pellissier who was at White's with us.
gpt
I remember you now, he said.
human
So it seems that I was wrong. Annabel was in hiding all the time.
gpt
Annabel Pellissier is married,
human
She's my wife,
gpt
It is possible, Courtlaw said,
human
At the English Embassy in Paris. You will find the certificate in my pocket.
gpt
And who made the arrangements for you, and sent you there?
human
Hainault, Celeste's friend. He did everything.
gpt
I thought so, Courtlaw said.
human
You too were deceived. The place to which you went was not the English Embassy, and the whole performance was a fraud. I heard rumours of it in Paris, and the place since then has been closed.
gpt
But Hainault--assured--me--that the marriage was binding.
human
So it would have been at the English Embassy, Courtlaw answered,
gpt
But Hainault--was--a pal. I--I don't understand,
human
Hainault was Celeste's friend, and Celeste was Annabel's enemy, Courtlaw said.
gpt
It was a plot amongst them all to humiliate her.
human
Then she has never been my wife.
gpt
Never for a second. She is the wife now of another man.
human
It was a bad day for me, he said, speaking slowly and painfully.
gpt
A bad thing for me when that legacy came. I thought I'd see Paris, do the thing--like a toff. And I heard 'Alcide' sing, and that little dance she did. I was in the front row, and I fancied she smiled at me. Lord, what a state I was in! Night after night I sat there, I watched her come in, I watched her go. She dropped a flower--it's in my pocket-book now. I couldn't rest or eat or sleep. I made Hainault's acquaintance, stood him drinks, lent him money. He shook his head all the time. Annabel Pellissier was not like the others, he said. She had a few acquaintances, English gentlemen, but she lived with her sister--was a lady. But one day he came to me. It was Celeste's idea. I could be presented as Meysey Hill. We were alike. He was--a millionaire. And I passed myself off as Meysey Hill, and since--then--I haven't had a minute's peace. God help me.
human
You mustn't talk any more, he said,
gpt
You are their friend, then?
human
I am,
gpt
Which one?
human
The one whose life you have been making a burden, who has been all the time shielding her sister. I would have married her long ago, but she will not have me.
gpt
Bring her--here, Hill muttered.
human
I----
gpt
He has asked to see some one, he whispered to the doctor.
human
Is there any urgency?
gpt
I think, he said,