human
Has Mr. Pargeter left Paris?
gpt
No, said Vanderlyn shortly.
human
Mr. Pargeter is still in Paris.
gpt
Is it a friend of Mr. Pargeter who is speaking?
human
Yes,
gpt
Will you, Monsieur, kindly inform your friend, said the voice, shaking with a ripple of light laughter,
human
Mr. Pargeter is engaged, but I will give him any message.
gpt
May I ask you, Monsieur, to have the gracious amiability to inform Mr. Pargeter that Mademoiselle de la Tour de Nesle will be expecting him at five o'clock this afternoon. She understood he was leaving Paris yesterday, but someone told her that he had been seen driving in his auto on the grand boulevards this morning.
human
They declare that Peggy must have left Paris! he exclaimed.
gpt
I thought as much, he went on, angrily.
human
I felt certain that she was only hiding! Of course I didn't like to say so--at first,
gpt
You see, Grid, --his voice unconsciously lowered,--
human
Did you ever hear of this before? he asked suspiciously,
gpt
No, said Vanderlyn.
human
This is the first time I have heard anything of it. How long did she stay away? he forced himself to add, loathing himself the while:
gpt
Did she disappear like this--I mean, as she has done this time?
human
Well, not exactly, said Pargeter reluctantly,
gpt
he added, moodily,
human
Is there any special reason why Peggy should have thought of going away like that--now?
gpt
No, exclaimed Pargeter,
human
he sought intently for a word,
gpt
he repeated;
human
I didn't have a penny with her, but I've never grudged her anything. In fact I should be pleased if she spent more on her clothes than she seems to care to do, for I like to see a woman well trigged out.
gpt
Tom, I have a message for you, said Vanderlyn slowly,
human
Eh! what? said Pargeter, his fair face flushing,
gpt
Mademoiselle de la Tour de Nesle,
human
Oh Lord! What a plague women are! said the other, crossly.
gpt
Sometimes I think it's a pity God ever made Eve! Such impudence, her ringing up here! Still, she's an amusing little devil.
human
Are you going to see her? asked Vanderlyn,
gpt
I say, don't be shirty! he exclaimed,
human
I know you've had a lot of bother, and I'm awfully grateful to you, and so will Peggy be when she knows. I sha'n't make up my mind about going to see Nelly till the last minute----
gpt
Nelly? repeated Vanderlyn, puzzled--
human
Who's Nelly?
gpt
You know, Grid,--the--the person who rang me up. I always call her Nelly. Her name's such a mouthful--still, it's Nelly's Tower, isn't it? See? Perhaps to-day as there's all this fuss on I'd better not go and see her, eh, Grid? I wish I was like you, he added, a little shamefacedly,