human
Where is your daughter, M. Aksakoff?
gpt
On my Volga estate,
human
In Siberia, you mean.
gpt
How do you know that?
human
I am right, then?
gpt
I really cannot say. I do not know why you should make that observation, after I have informed you of my daughter's whereabouts.
human
I make it because I am a woman, and being such, I know that Katinka's love for that waxed-moustache creature will lead her--perhaps has led her--even into Siberian wilds.
gpt
Do you really think so?
human
I do. Does my thought confirm facts?
gpt
I will be frank with you, madame, since we both know that Constantine Demetrius left Paris on that afternoon _en route_ to Siberia.
human
I know nothing of the sort,
gpt
Yet you have just admitted that the man is in Siberia.
human
All Russians go as naturally to Siberia as cockneys to Margate. It's a kind of Bank Holiday with them, I suppose. Why not be frank with me?
gpt
Madame, I rather think that I should ask you that question.
human
I never answer questions, said Leah, coolly;
gpt
Do you really think so?
human
I _do_ think so; but surely you know?
gpt
Katinka refused to marry her cousin Petrovitch, after the disappearance of Demetrius. She questioned me continually about him, and showed me the letter and enclosure which you had sent. A very diplomatic letter, if I may say so. I, of course, denied that I knew anything. She appeared to be satisfied; yet nine months ago she left my house--left this country----
human
To rusticate on your Volga estates.
gpt
That was my excuse for her disappearance, and I beg of you, madame, to accept that excuse in society, for the sake of her good name and mine. She nodded, and he went on gravely:
human
I confess to you, madame, that I do not know where she is. You suggest Siberia; it is possible.
gpt
I fancy so, seeing she is infatuated with the man. But how could she possibly learn that he was there?
human
Very easily. You sent her the letter supposed to have been written by Constantine Demetrius in Paris.
gpt
What letter is that?
human
You must know, madame, and you do know, that the letter was forged for your safety.
gpt
You talk very strangely M. Aksakoff. My safety was never in danger, so far as I know. Your anxiety makes you indiscreet, and thinking so, I pardon the indiscretion.
human
In that forged letter --he was determined to stick to the word--
gpt
Dr. Helfmann,
human
I gave him that degree, madame, said Aksakoff, dryly.
gpt
Helfmann is one of our secret police.
human
Then you had no business to introduce such a creature into my rooms,
gpt
Pardon, the crime is twelve months old. To proceed. Katinka knew the real business of this man, and may have learned the truth, or enough of it, to make her journey to Siberia. Tomsk--yes, Tomsk! He leaned his stick on the ground, his hands on the stick, and stared vaguely at the leafless trees.
human
Assuredly Tomsk.
gpt
Is Dr. Demetrius there?
human
I wish you a good day, madame,