human
Nevertheless, said I,
gpt
But what about my memory? demanded Paolo, with open palms.
human
Monsieur does not appear to think of that.
gpt
It was not on my mind. I am acting for my friend. You have challenged a boy, a mere child, to fight you to the death. He very pluckily accepts your challenge. There are those who would think that you had done a brutal, even a cowardly thing, in putting a youth of seventeen or eighteen into such a position. Then, surely your most lenient friends would say that the least you could do would be to give the child his right of choice in weapons. Very well; he chooses two bits of paper of different lengths.
human
I will not consent,
gpt
Very well. You have had my friend's ultimatum. Am I to tell him that this is yours?
human
It is not fair! he exclaimed.
gpt
Monsieur Laurence has his friend to act for him. As yet, I have no one.
human
He is eighteen at most. You are--perhaps thirty. Still, if you insist, I will see Captain de Sales, tell him my principal's idea, and perhaps he will be more fortunate in inducing you to consent----
gpt
No, no, cried the Italian quickly.
human
I would not have him or anyone know of this monstrous proposal. I should never hear the end of it, and there would be a thousand versions of the story.
gpt
You will not reconsider?
human
Jamais de la vie!
gpt
Then the duel is off.
human
I consider that you and your principal have taken an unfair advantage.
gpt
That is between you and me. If you care to raise the question----
human
I have no quarrel with you.
gpt
Then you and Mr. Laurence must treat the misunderstanding of this evening as if it had not been. This will not be difficult, as he will go with me on an excursion to-morrow, now that his--er--engagement with you is off; and the day after, he and I think of leaving Aix altogether, by way of Mont Revard.
human
What--he will go away? exclaimed Paolo, all at once a different man.
gpt
He will leave Aix altogether, you say?
human
Yes. You see, we are on our way south. Mr. Laurence merely wanted a glance at Aix _en route_, and the Contessa was kind enough to invite him to her house. It was really nice of her, as he is such a boy.
gpt
You think so? Yes--perhaps. Well, I consent on these terms to forget. You may tell your principal what I have said.
human
I will, I returned.
gpt
He will be guided by me, and forget also; though I assure you, like most of his countrymen, he is a fire-eater--a fire-eater.
human
She has forgotten my kisses, and I--have forgotten her name.