human
Madame has of course heard the new tale?
gpt
Something fresh this morning, Abbé? Who does it concern?
human
Not the great Monsieur, the Prince, my lady, but a Monsieur of much nearer acquaintance.
gpt
Indeed? Monsieur Who, then? How interesting! Make no delay.
human
The difficulty precisely is to say Who, Madame; but it is he who _calls_ himself Monsieur de Répentigny. There is in Paris at this very instant a _real_ Monsieur de Répentigny--no relation to our one--who is publicly declaring our Canadian to have stolen his title, and to be nothing less than a cheat.
gpt
Stop, Abbé; stop, sir. This time you pass the bounds permitted you. How dare you come into the presence of a Princess inventing such slanderous monstrosities against your superior. A nephew, sir, of the Chevalier de Bailleul, acknowledged by him as such to myself in his own château, is above the aspersions of a contemptible plebeian. Let this be a lesson to you, and never dare again to enter my sight. Footmen, conduct him out of my presence and service. No reply! I am irrevocable in this.
human
What is the commotion I heard?
gpt
It is a serious matter. As likely as not it is true,
human
I know it to be a falsehood, the latter retorted, with fiery quickness.
gpt
Those people are his enemies. I have it on the word of an honest man and a Canadian.