human
Come, Miflorès, for heaven's sake talk a little! try to make yourself agreeable to the ladies. You act like an oyster, my dear fellow.
gpt
I didn't ask you to bring me here; it was you who insisted on my coming, saying that it would inspire confidence in the master of the house, with whom you hoped to do a big business.
human
That is true, perfectly true; that is why I passed you off for an Italian count.
gpt
Oh! I don't care about that.
human
Lying a little more or less doesn't matter; and you are lying by calling yourself Miflorès, when your real name is Seringat; a pretty name, by the way, which reminds one of a canary [_serin_], a flower [_syringa_], and a syringe [_seringue_]. Miflorès isn't your name.
gpt
It was my mother's, so I have a right to take it.
human
At all events, you don't want these people to know your real name, and what happened to you, do you?
gpt
No, no! never! I would rather--I--don't know what.
human
Well, I know the whole story.
gpt
But you promised to keep it secret, my good, kind friend.
human
Yes; but on condition that you'll be obliging, that you'll do everything for me that I ask you to do.
gpt
That's agreed. Do you want more money? Tell me.
human
Not now; but try to be amiable, amusing, polite, while you are here; that's all I ask of you at present.
gpt
I will try right away.
human
What does that mean; does he expect to marry my wife?