human
Good morning, sir, said the lady, with a charming smile,
gpt
Yes, madam,--at you service,
human
I am come on a strange errand, monsieur; as an ambassadress, so to say, of those whom I fear you take to be your enemies.
gpt
You are frank, madam. I believe that I am speaking with--?
human
Madame de la Fontaine, the lady instantly supplied.
gpt
Events have so precipitated themselves, monsieur, that pretense and conventionality were an affectation. I am informed, you understand, of your brilliant rescue of Mademoiselle Eloise de Boisdhyver.
human
If you mean Nancy Frost by Mademoiselle Eloise de Boisdhyver, madam, your information is correct. I gathered that you had been told of this, when I saw Captain Bonhomme make his way to the House on the Dunes this morning.
gpt
Ah! What eyes, monsieur! exclaimed the lady.
human
But I have grown accustomed to having my privacy examined over-curiously during the few days I have spent on your hospitable shores. _Mais pardon_--my purpose in coming to the Inn at the Red Oak this morning was but to request that my name be conveyed to Monsieur the Marquis de Boisdhyver.
gpt
You mean, madam, that you wish to see the Marquis?
human
Yes, monsieur, if you will be so good as to allow me to do so.
gpt
I am sorry, Tom rejoined,
human
Ah! exclaimed Madame de la Fontaine,
gpt
I was right then. Monsieur le Marquis is, shall we say, in confinement?
human
As you please, madam; as safe, for the time, as is my friend Dan Frost.
gpt
Precisely, madam,
human
And you will not permit me even a word--ever so little a word--with my poor friend?
gpt
Again I am sorry to refuse you, madam; but--not even a little word.
human
So! _Mais oui_, I am not greatly surprised. I was assured last night....
gpt
When you did not see the signals?
human
When I did not see the signals, repeated the lady, with a glance of the briefest enquiry,
gpt
I was assured that something had befallen Monsieur le Marquis. _Mais vraiment_, monsieur, you do us much dishonour in assuming a wicked conspiracy on our parts. The Marquis is my friend; he is also the friend of the charming Mademoiselle. All that we wish, all that we would do is as much in her interest as in his own. But it is impossible that my old friend shall remain in confinement. On what condition, monsieur, will you release the Marquis de Boisdhyver?
human
On the condition, naturally, that my friend Dan Frost is released from the _Southern Cross_.
gpt
Ah! Is it that you are quite sure that Monsieur Frost is confined on the ship?
human
Quite sure, Madame de la Fontaine. I was on board _The Southern Cross_ last night.
gpt
Yes, I know it; and I congratulate you upon your extraordinary success. Very well, then, I accept your condition. Monsieur Dan Frost returns; Monsieur le Marquis is released. And now you will perhaps have the kindness--
human
No, madame; in this affair the Marquis and his friends have been the aggressors. I cannot consent that you should hold any communication with the Marquis till Dan returns free and unharmed to the Inn.
gpt
And what assurance then shall I have that the Marquis will be released?
human
None, madame, but my word of honour.
gpt
Certainly, madam.
human
There remains, monsieur, she murmured,
gpt
Your friend will return _tout de suite_, monsieur,
human
And we shall have the pleasure of seeing you again?
gpt
Ah! who can tell?