human
I congratulate you, Lady James; you should have been a conspirator.
gpt
So your dear father told me. Compliments run in your family, apparently. Surely you do not blame me for putting things right with my servants. They might think it queer, otherwise, and one cannot be too careful with such creatures.
human
I fail to see what good your exceedingly clever explanations will do. Constantine intends to speak out.
gpt
What about?
human
Need we keep on your comedy, madame?
gpt
I'm sure I do not know what you mean. One would think that I wished to deceive people, the way you talk. And after what I have done for you, too--it's most ungrateful.
human
And pray what have you done, Lady James?
gpt
Don't call me Lady James; your stupid mistakes get on my nerves. Done? Why, I pretended to fall on the stair to excuse the state of my mouth. Had I been a nasty, spiteful creature such as you are, I should have given you in charge for assault.
human
Give me in charge now,
gpt
I might. Don't drive me into a corner.
human
You are inconsistent. If you have done nothing wrong, how can I drive you into the corner you speak of?
gpt
Because you are a monomaniac, retorted the Duchess, angrily;
human
You would hurt a dozen flies if anything was to be gained, snapped the other, irritably.
gpt
You betrayed my Constantine.
human
I did nothing of the sort, as he will understand when he hears what I have to say.
gpt
Hearing and believing are two different things, Lady James.
human
Of course, you are prejudiced, because Demetrius loves me.
gpt
Do not try me too far.
human
Do you intend to assault me again?
gpt
No; I even apologise for the blow. I told Constantine this morning of my interview, and he said that I was wrong. It is for him to deal you justice and punishment.
human
Punishment! Justice! Leah laughed aloud in sheer rage at her inability to parry these insults.
gpt
And for what, pray?
human
Constantine will tell you.
gpt
In that case I do not wish a second-hand judgment from you.