human
Really, he said, genially,
gpt
You mean the cure of the King?
human
Yes. I don't believe it. Sforelli, you know one of those Jews, between us--just a little bit too clever! Wonderful how he picked you up: I should drop him if I were you, by the way. And I had always heard that his poor Majesty was quite, quite mad. I never went to see. I dislike madmen as much as Jews. Arnolfo should not have introduced you to Sforelli, but the boy is so kind to every one! And I'm sure the King cannot be quite recovered--there will be something a little wrong. And a relapse--what a tragedy! Of course, I shall be delighted. I am an old man, and (between us) tired of ruling a thankless country. It would have been too long to wait for the Princess to grow up: now she'll be out of it, poor girl!
gpt
Which Princess?
human
Don't you know? His Majesty's cousin, the heir to the throne. She lives with her mother's family far away in Ulmreich. They say she is mad also, and there is no holding her. Old blood, old blood! She was to have come here this year to be introduced to Alsander, but the idea fell through till the possibility of the King's cure had been established one way or another. I have not seen her since she was a girl. She is under the guardianship of the father of that charming young man, your friend Arnolfo. I am sorry I shall not be able to see her again.
gpt
Bring her here and marry her to her cousin,
human
A very good idea. But I don't know, replied the old man.
gpt
Between us, two mad people! Would it be good for the future of Alsander?
human
You are fond of the country?
gpt
Passionately. I love its beauty. Between us, I want it just to remain as it is--a lovely and peaceable place, untouched by the world.
human
You don't believe in progress?
gpt
Not for Alsander. They want me to repair the roads. Never, said I. Saving your friend's presence, I hate automobiles. They would soon be roaring all over the country and spoiling it absolutely. Our roads were made for carts and mules: and the people are quite happy with them. Your friend has one: just as a curiosity, it doesn't matter. Your friend, he added in a low voice,
human
I? No. I should very much like to know more of him. I brought a letter of introduction to him from a relative in England, who had met him and his father in Ulmreich. As you said, he is charming: there is no other word.
gpt
Is he not? Charming: of course restless, but not like his father, who couldn't live in Alsander because it was what he called reactionary. Oh, if his father, old Arnolfo, got a chance, he'd run a funicular up the mountains and build a casino on the beach.
human
Well, there's something to be said for being awake and something to be said for modernity,
gpt
True, sir, but (between us), said Vorza, with a more confidential tone than ever,
human
I have been, I admit, only a very short time in England, three days, in fact; and I am a bit of a judge, perhaps, in matters of taste--and I didn't see anything in London, among your latest buildings, at all events, that quite comes up to our Cathedral or our Castle.