human
We take our medicine, eh?
gpt
Yes, answered the prisoner,
human
But there's a difference, reflected Coquenil.
gpt
The other day you said you were sorry when you left me in that hot cellar. Now you're in a fairly hot place yourself, baron, and--I'm _not_ sorry.
human
Any objection to my smoking a cigar?
gpt
he said with grim meaning.
human
If there is anything you want to say, sir, you had better say it.
gpt
I have only this to say, Coquenil, proceeded the baron, absolutely unruffled;
human
--he smiled and shrugged his shoulders--
gpt
The point is, I am going to pay the price that society exacts when this sort of thing is--found out. I am perfectly willing to pay it, not in the least afraid to pay it, and, above all, not in the least sorry for anything. I want you to remember that and repeat it. I have no patience with cowardly canting talk about remorse. I have never for one moment regretted anything I have done, and I regret nothing now. Nothing! I have had five years of the best this world can give--power, fortune, social position, pleasure, _everything_, and whatever I pay, I'm ahead of the game, way ahead. If I had it all to do over again and knew that this would be the end, _I would change nothing_.
human
Except that secret door under the stone shelf--you might change that,
gpt
No wonder you feel bitter, mused the baron.
human
It was you or me, and--_I_ showed no pity. Why should you? I want you to believe, though, that I was genuine when I said I liked you. I was ready to destroy you, but I liked you. I like you now, Coquenil, and--this is perhaps our last talk, they will take me off presently, and--you collect odd souvenirs--here is one--a little good-by--from an adversary who was--game, anyway. You don't mind accepting it?