human
You, said the Advocate's wife, turning to the grandmother,
gpt
Yes, my lady, said the old woman;
human
I know, I know; my little bird was very communicative. You are Fritz.
gpt
The Fool, said the white-haired young man, approaching closer to the lady, and consequently closer to Dionetta,
human
Fritz the Fool. But that needn't tell against me, unless you please. I can be useful, if I care to be, and faithful, too, if I care to be.
gpt
It depends upon yourself, then, said the lady, accepting the independent speech in good part,
human
Mainly upon myself; but I have springs that can be set in motion, if one can only find out how to play upon them. I was told you were coming.
gpt
Indeed! with an air of pleasant surprise.
human
By whom, and when?
gpt
By whom? The white shadows. When? In my dreams.
human
The white shadows! They exist then! Edward, do you hear?
gpt
It is not so, my lady, interposed Mother Denise, in ill-humour at the turn the conversation was taking;
human
It is my trade, retorted Fritz.
gpt
I know what I know, grandmother.
human
Is Fritz your grandson, then?
gpt
Heaven forbid!
human
What is not, remarked Fritz sententiously,
gpt
A delusion can be turned to profit. You make use of these shadows.
human
The saints forbid! They would burn me in brimstone. Yet, with a look both sly and vacant,
gpt
You like to be called a fool. It pleases you.
human
Why not?
gpt
Why, rather?
human
I might answer in your own words, that it can be turned to profit. But I am too great a fool to see in what way.
gpt
You answer wisely. Why do you close your eyes?
human
I can see in the dark what I choose to see. When my eyes are open, I am their slave. When they are closed, they are mine--unless I dream.
gpt
Come, Adelaide, we will look at the house.