human
It is superb! I have never seen anything like it! What patterns! what work! said Rose-Pompon, as she examined all with simple and perfectly disinterested curiosity. Then she added,
gpt
Your pocket is like a shop; where did you get all these pretty things? Then, bursting into a fit of laughter, which brought the blood to her cheeks, she exclaimed,
human
Oh, I have it! These are the wedding-presents for Madame de la Sainte-Colombe. I congratulate you; they are very choice.
gpt
And where do you suppose I should find money to buy these wonders? said Ninny Moulin.
human
I repeat to you, all this is yours if you will but listen to me!
gpt
How is this? said Rose-Pompon, with the utmost amazement;
human
In downright earnest.
gpt
This offer to make me a great lady?
human
The jewels might convince you of the reality of my offers.
gpt
And you propose all this to me for some one else, my poor Ninny Moulin?
human
One moment, said the religious writer, with a comical air of modesty,
gpt
Yet, 'tis all very simple, and I--
human
Oh! I've found it, cried Rose-Pompon, interrupting Ninny Moulin;
gpt
A marriage? oh, laws, yes!
human
What! is it not a marriage?
gpt
No.
human
And the offers you make me are honest ones, my big apostle?
gpt
They could not be more so.
human
I shall not have to be unfaithful to Philemon?
gpt
No.
human
Or faithful to any one else?
gpt
No.
human
Come, do not let us have any joking! I am not foolish enough to imagine that I am to live just like a duchess, just for nothing. What, therefore, must I give in return?
gpt
Nothing at all.
human
Nothing?
gpt
Not even that,
human
But what am I to do, then?
gpt
Dress yourself as handsomely as possible, take your ease, amuse yourself, ride about in a carriage. You see, it is not very fatiguing --and you will, moreover, help to do a good action.
human
What! by living like a duchess?
gpt
Yes! so make up your mind. Do not ask me for any more details, for I cannot give them to you. For the rest, you will not be detained against your will. Just try the life I propose to you. If it suits you, go on with it; if not, return to your Philemonic household.
human
In fact--
gpt
Only try it. What can you risk?
human
Nothing; but I can hardly believe that all you say is true. And then, added she, with hesitation,
gpt
I do not know if I ought--
human
Look there! before the door of the house.
gpt
What a pretty carriage! How comfortable a body'd be inside of it!
human
That carriage is yours. It is waiting for you.
gpt
Waiting for me! exclaimed Rose-Pompon;
human
Or not at all.
gpt
To-day?
human
On the instant.
gpt
But where will they take me?
human
How should I know?
gpt
You do not know where they will take me?
human
Not I, --and Dumoulin still spoke the truth--
gpt
Do you know all this is very funny, Ninny Moulin?
human
I believe you. If it were not funny, where would be the pleasure?
gpt
You are right.
human
Then you accept the offer? That is well. I am delighted both for you and myself.
gpt
For yourself?
human
Yes; because, in accepting, you render me a great service.
gpt
You? How so?
human
It matters little, as long as I feel obliged to you.
gpt
True.
human
Come, then; let us set out!
gpt
Bah! after all, they cannot eat me,