human
Mon Dieu! said the kind marquise,
gpt
I have no fault to find with you. I have been able to appreciate with my own eyes, during the past few days, your conduct and her own. But all this is very disagreeable. That child has just thrown herself in my arms weeping terribly. She says you have treated her like a creature--
human
I have repeated to you, word for word, madam, what passed between us.
gpt
It was not your words, it was your expression, your tone. Monsieur George, let me speak frankly with you: are you afraid of falling in love with Madame de Palme?
human
Not in the least, madam.
gpt
Are you anxious that she should fall in love with you?
human
Neither, I assure you.
gpt
Well, then, do me a favor; lay aside your pride for one day, and escort Madame de Palme to the hunt.
human
Madam!
gpt
The advice may seem singular to you. But rest assured that I do not offer it without mature reflection. The repulsion which you manifest for Madame de Palme is precisely what attracts toward you that imperious and spoilt child. She becomes irritated and obstinate in presence of a resistance to which she has not been accustomed. Be meek enough to yield to her fancy. Do that for me.
human
Seriously madam, you think?--
gpt
I think, interrupted the old lady laughingly,
human
Really, madam, you present things to me under an entirely novel aspect. It never occurred to me to attribute Madame de Palme's mischievous pranks to a sentiment of which I might have reason to be proud.
gpt
And you have been quite right, she resumed sharply;
human
I trust myself wholly to your direction, madam; I am going too fetch my hat and gloves. The question is now, how Madame de Palme will receive my somewhat tardy civility.
gpt
She will receive it very well, if you offer it with good grace.
human
As to that, madam, I shall offer it with all the good grace I can command.