human
I'm afraid our coming has quite startled you, said Mrs. Shiffney.
gpt
Didn't Susan tell you we were going to look in?
human
Yes, of course. I'm delighted!
gpt
What a dear little retreat you've found here, and how deliciously you've arranged everything, she said.
human
You've made a perfect nest for your genius. We are all longing to see him.
gpt
A clever man! said Madame Sennier, decisively.
human
I met him once at the opera. You remember, Jacques, I told you what he said about your orchestration?
gpt
Yes, yes, about my use of the flutes in connection with muted strings and the horns to give the effect of water.
human
I want Monsieur Sennier to know him,
gpt
I'm so sorry, but he's not here,
human
Susan! Such a disappointment! But, of course, you know!
gpt
About Mr. Heath? Yes.
human
Has he gone back to England?
gpt
Oh, no. He's in Algeria.
human
He has gone to Constantine with a friend.
gpt
Do have some tea!
human
Constantine! said Mrs. Shiffney.
gpt
That's no distance, only a night in the train. Can't you persuade him to come back and see us? Do be a dear and telegraph.
human
I would in a minute. But he's not gone merely to amuse himself.
gpt
The opera! said Mrs. Shiffney.
human
By the way, is it indiscreet to ask who wrote the libretto?
gpt
It is by a Frenchman, or rather an Algerian, French but born here. His name is Gillier.
human
Armand Gillier?
gpt
Yes. Do you know him?
human
Know him! exclaimed the composer.
gpt
When have I not known him? Three libretti by him have I rejected--three, madame. He challenged me to a duel, pistols, if you please! I to fire, and perhaps be shot, because he cannot write a good libretto! Which has your poor unfortunate husband accepted?
human
Claude's libretto has never been offered to anyone else,
gpt
And so Gillier is with your husband! she observed. Apparently she was clairvoyante.
human
Well, madame, you are a brave woman. That is all I can say!
gpt
Brave! But why?
human
Why, Henriette? she asked, leaning forward.
gpt
Do tell us.
human
Gillier makes other people like he is, said Madame Sennier.
gpt
But what does it matter? Each one for himself! Don't you say that in England?
human
That applies specially to women, she continued, with her curiously ruthless and too self-possessed air.
gpt
Each woman for herself, and the Devil will carefully take the hindmost. Why should he not?