human
Every man Jack and every woman Jill of the lot believe in that crystal and clairvoyant nonsense! he laughed.
gpt
I mentioned it for fun, but I went on simply to 'pull their legs.' I hope you don't mind having the Countess down, do you, child? Of course, I made it out to be a favour that so wonderful a being should consent to come at call. But between us, Anita, the poor woman will fall over herself with joy. She's a restless, lonely creature, who has drifted about the world without stopping anywhere long enough to make friends, and I have a notion that her heart's desire is to 'get into society' in England. This will give her a chance, because these good ladies and gentlemen who are dying to see what she's like, and persuade her to tell their pasts and futures, are at the top of the tree. It's a cheap way for us to make her happy--and we can afford it.
human
Don't you believe she really is clairvoyant, and sees things in her crystal?
gpt
Didn't you read in the newspapers about the queer thing that happened on board the _Monarchic_?
human
Ye-es, I _did_ read it,
gpt
Why didn't you tell me so?
human
Because--the day I heard you were on the _Monarchic_, I couldn't remember what I'd read. It was vague in my mind----
gpt
No other reason?
human
Only that--that--I fancied----
gpt
You fancied I didn't like to talk about the _Monarchic_?
human
Well, when the Countess spoke of it, you looked--cross.
gpt
I was cross. But only with the _way_ she spoke--as if she and I had come over together because we were pals. That's all. Though I've every cause to hate the memory of that trip! When did you remember what you had read in the newspapers?
human
Only this evening.
gpt
I thought so! At dinner. I saw a look come over your face.
human
I didn't know you noticed me.
gpt
I'm always noticing you. And I was proud of you to-night. Well! You remembered----
human
About a man on board being robbed, and a lady--an 'amateur clairvoyante,' seeing things in a crystal. I thought it must have been the Countess de Santiago.