human
Madame Baroness, said he,
gpt
Did you never, he went on,
human
I am grateful, Abbé Jude; let me say it from my heart. You have been wronged by us. We believed you were different.
gpt
Yes, I was that secret friend, he cried.
human
It was I who protected you at the sections, I struck your name from the lists of proscriptions, I diverted the marches of the patriots from your portals. Do you think all this would be done for three years without true faithfulness?
gpt
You have indeed proved yourself a loyal friend.
human
More than that, he exclaimed;
gpt
This is very unfortunate. Calm yourself, Abbé. I will ever have a lively feeling of gratefulness for your devotion. Think of me on those terms.
human
Ah, Madame, those were the only terms which might have been possible in former days; but they do not belong to the new _régime_. We are all equal now. Nothing will satisfy me short of possessing you entirely.
gpt
Abbé, you are excited.
human
No, citizeness, I have long been determined you shall be my mate.
gpt
When you will have reflected a few hours you will see that this is impossible.
human
What! impossible? And why impossible? Ah, yes, I know, it is because of your pretty-faced lover Répentigny. I know all about that. I could have crushed him between my fingers; and I will crush him yet. What!--that man between myself and you! Why, then, did I bring you here? Was it to allow his interference with my object? After all I have done for you, am I to be met with answers of this sort?
gpt
I appreciate entirely your services, Abbé; they are too great to be underrated.
human
They shall be more, citizeness. In these days it is _my_ turn to dictate.
gpt
Am I to understand that this has been your aim all along?
human
It has, and were it not for that, I might long ago have pointed out both you and your doll-head lover to the Committee of Public Safety.
gpt
Then your whole service has been abstention from positive treachery for your own ends?
human
You dare me? Caution, citizeness! You are in my power.
gpt
In your power? You are a coward as well as a knave, then?
human
Remember still more, he hissed, losing all control of himself,
gpt
My God! you have brought us to this!
human
Be off, you cur! said he, standing sternly over the Abbé, who shrank as if struck.
gpt
Go to your work, you----