human
My dear Monsieur Pigeonnier, I have something very important to tell you--a warning--in fact, something that it is well you should know, so that you may be on your guard.
gpt
What does this mean? cried Tobie, taking alarm at once;
human
It isn't that at all; in the first place, it's hardly probable that anyone who meant to rob you would have taken me into his confidence.
gpt
No, that is true; but you tell me to be on my guard.
human
You see, I take an interest in you, Monsieur Pigeonnier, for you believe in magnetism, and I remember that, the last time we dined together, I was going to tell you a very interesting anecdote concerning the extraordinary effects of somnambulism; it was this: A lady, whose husband was travelling, desired to know whether----
gpt
Was it because you proposed to tell me that, that you warned me to be on my guard?
human
Oh! I beg your pardon--I didn't tell you, did I? This is what it is: I met Monsieur Plays not long ago, at an evening party; you know Monsieur Plays, Madame Plays's husband?
gpt
Yes, Tobie replied, with a fatuous air,
human
Our dear Plays--as it pleases you to call him so--asked me, in the course of conversation, if I knew you; and, on my replying in the affirmative, urged me, if I should happen to see you, to beg you to avoid him, inasmuch as his wife has ordered him to kill you, because, it seems, you insulted and deceived her shamefully; that is all Plays chose to tell me.
gpt
Gad! that is charming! delicious! Ah! she employs her husband to kill me, now! I can guess why. Poor husband! luckily, he is good enough to warn me. I thank you for your warning, my dear Monsieur Dupétrain, but I assure you that Monsieur Plays doesn't worry me at all; he's no duellist, and, besides, I shall only have to say a single word to him to---- Alas! I would to God I had no duel to reproach myself for!
human
I am delighted that this affair doesn't worry you, rejoined Dupétrain;
gpt
Excuse me, Monsieur Dupétrain, but I have an important appointment; I will listen to it some other time, by your leave.