human
Oh, how do you do? he exclaimed.
gpt
I heard Char say 'Madame,' and thought it was Anita at the door.
human
No, she has gone upstairs, explained Lady Annesley-Seton.
gpt
So has Dick. I alone had courage to linger! I feel like Fatima with the blood-stained key, in Bluebeard's house, you are such a bear about this den--you really _are_, you know!
human
I didn't expect you three so soon, said Knight, calmly.
gpt
If I'd known you had a curiosity to see Bluebeard's Chamber, I'd have had it smartened up. As it is, I shouldn't dare let you peep. You, the mistress of the house before we took it over, would be critical of the state I delight to keep it in. Untidiness is my _one_ fault!
human
I'll put off the visit till a more propitious hour, Constance reassured him,
gpt
The Countess de Santiago?
human
Yes. I've been to see her to-day. Will you believe it, she saw the _whole_ affair of last night in her crystal--and the thief, and everything!
gpt
Oh, indeed, did she? How intelligent.
human
But she says we mustn't mention her name to the police.
gpt
She'd be lumped with common or garden palmists and fortune-tellers, I suppose.
human
Yes, that's what she fears. But she wants to be in our Devonshire house party at Easter--to save us from something.
gpt
Save us from what?
human
She couldn't see it distinctly in the crystal.
gpt
She could see distinctly that she wanted to be there. Well--we hadn't thought of having her. She seemed out of the picture with the lot who are coming--the Duchess of Peebles, for instance. But we'll think it over. Why don't you ask Anita? It occurs to me that she is the one to be consulted.
human
The Countess wished me to speak to you alone, and let you decide. Probably because you're such an old friend. I think she feels that Anita doesn't care for her.
gpt
She gave you _that_ impression, did she? Yet, thinking Anita _doesn't_ like her--and she's nearly right--she wants to come all the same. She wants to presume on my--er--friendship to force herself on my wife.... Jove! I guess that's a little too strong. It's time we showed the fair Madalena her place, don't you think so, Lady A?
human
What, precisely, is her place?