human
What do you think of my little place?
gpt
Two things, Madam, said I, half sternly.
human
If it belonged to a man, and to a minister plenipotentiary, I should not approve it. If it belonged to a lady of means and a desire to see the lands of this little world, I should approve it very much.
gpt
But, I went on,
human
--I looked at her directly--
gpt
No, she said,
human
I would not be content merely to live.
gpt
Precisely. Therefore, since to make life worth the living there must be occasionally a trifle of spice, a bit of adventure, either for man or woman, I suggest to you, as something offering amusement, this little journey with me to-night to meet my chief. You have his message. I am his messenger, and, believe me, quite at your service in any way you may suggest. Let us be frank. If you are agent, so am I. See; I have come into your camp. Dare you not come into ours? Come; it is an adventure to see a tall, thin old man in a dressing-gown and a red woolen nightcap. So you will find my chief; and in apartments much different from these.
human
So your chief, as you call him, asks me to come to him, at midnight, with you, a stranger?
gpt
Do you not believe in charms and in luck, in evil and good fortune, Madam? I asked her.
human
Now, it is well to be lucky. In ordinary circumstances, as you say, I could not have got past yonder door. Yet here I am. What does it augur, Madam?
gpt
But it is night!
human
Precisely. Could you go to the office of a United States senator and possible cabinet minister in broad daylight and that fact not be known? Could he come to your apartments in broad daylight and that fact not be known? What would 'that man Pakenham' suspect in either case? Believe me, my master is wise. I do not know his reason, but he knows it, and he has planned best to gain his purpose, whatever it may be. Reason must teach you, Madam, that night, this night, this hour, is the only time in which this visit could be made. Naturally, it would be impossible for him to come here. If you go to him, he will--ah, he will reverence you, as I do, Madam. Great necessity sets aside conventions, sets aside everything. Come, then!