human
Oh, this is quite comfortable, said a woman's voice.
gpt
Here I am, Major Shirley! It's dark, isn't it, but rather a relief after the glare downstairs. What a crush it is! I am beginning to think the Hunt Ball rather a farce, for it is next to impossible to dance.
human
People don't know how to dance nowadays, grumbled Major Shirley in response.
gpt
I can't stand these American antics. That young Nap Errol fairly sickens me.
human
Oh, but he is a splendid dancer,
gpt
Oh course you say so, growled the Major.
human
All women like that horrid little whipper-snapper. I can't see what in thunder they find to attract them. I call him a downright cad myself, and I'm inclined to think him a blackguard as well. He wouldn't be tolerated if it weren't for his dollars, and they all belong to his brother, I'm told.
gpt
Ah! He is a charming man. Such a pity he is a cripple!
human
He would probably be as insufferable as Nap if he weren't, rejoined the Major gloomily.
gpt
I can't think what the County are coming to. They will accept anybody nowadays, it seems to me. I even met that little bounder at the Rifle Club the other day. Heaven knows how he got in. Dollars again, I suppose, confound his audacity!
human
I wonder where he is. I haven't seen him for some time. I hope he isn't anywhere within earshot.
gpt
Not he! He is stowed away in some corner well out of the way with his latest conquest. He won't turn up again this evening. He never does when once he goes to earth--the wily young fox.
human
Who is his latest conquest, I wonder? mused the woman.
gpt
I thought it was Mrs. Damer. But I have just seen her dancing with young Waring.
human
Mrs. Damer! Why, that was the day before yesterday! The Major laughed unpleasantly.
gpt
My dear Major, how you hate him! Anyone would think he had tried to flirt with Violet.
human
He'd better,
gpt
What's that?
human
Nothing--nothing! said the Major testily.
gpt
Somebody laughing in the hall. I wonder where my wife is. I shall clear out soon. I'm tired of this show. Haven't had a decent dance all the evening. Shouldn't think you have either. They ought to build a Town Hall in this place, and do the thing properly.
human
There is some talk of it, you know. Now that there is a millionaire in the neighbourhood it really might be done. The Carfaxes would help too, I am sure. Sir Giles is very open-handed.
gpt
Drunken beast! commented the Major.
human
A pretty spectacle he has been making of himself to-night. He is sitting in a corner of the refreshment-room now absolutely incapable. He reached the noisy stage very early in the evening. I am not sure that he even came sober.
gpt
No! Isn't it too pitiful for words? That young wife of his! I can't think how she endures it. It must be positive martyrdom.
human
Lady Carfax is a fool! said the Major crossly.
gpt
I can't stand these martyrs. If she leads a dog's life it's her own fault. She's a fool to put up with it.
human
Perhaps she can't help herself,
gpt
Stuff and nonsense! No woman need be the slave of a drunken sot like that. It's a downright offence to me to be in the same room with the fellow. He always reeks of drink. And she has, or professes to have, a certain amount of refinement. Not much, I dare say. She was nothing but his bailiff's daughter, you know, and people of that class don't generally suffer from an exaggerated sense of duty. She probably sticks to the man because she wants to keep in with the County. I don't like the woman, never did. Her airs and graces always rub me up wrong way. Why couldn't Sir Giles have married in his own set? He probably wouldn't be so fond of the whiskey bottle now if he had.
human
I must say I like Lady Carfax, broke in the woman with decision.
gpt
Whatever her origin, that queenliness of hers is not assumed. I believe her to be intensely reserved, and, perhaps for that very reason, I have a genuine admiration for her.
human
My dear Mrs. Randal, you'd find points to admire in a wax candle, grunted the Major.
gpt
She always makes me think of one; pale and pure and saintly--I can't stand the type. Let's go downstairs and find Violet.
human
Oh, not saintly, I think, protested Mrs. Randal charitably.
gpt
Saintly people are so uninteresting.
human
Probably not--probably not. But a show of saintliness is more than enough to frighten me away. A woman who can't understand a wink I invariably strike forthwith off my visiting-list.
gpt
How cruel of you! laughed Mrs. Randal. They were already moving away down the corridor. Her voice receded as they went.
human
But I can't understand any man daring to wink at Lady Carfax; I can't, indeed.
gpt
That's just what I complain about, grumbled Major Shirley.
human
Those wax-candle sort of women never see a joke. What fools they are to leave the place in darkness like this! Can you see where you are going?
gpt
Yes, we are just at the head of the stairs. It is rather foolish as you say. People might hurt themselves.
human
Of course they might. Infernally dangerous. I shall complain.
gpt
Suppose we go down now,
human
Our gallant Major Shirley seems somewhat disgruntled tonight, he said.
gpt
Do you know him?
human
Yes, I know him.
gpt
So do I. The man's tone was one of sheer amusement.
human
I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Rifle Club the other day. Someone introduced us. It was great fun. If there were a little more light, I would show you what he looked like. For some reason he wasn't pleased. Do you really want to go downstairs though? It is much nicer here.
gpt
Yes, she said, and though still quiet her voice was not altogether even.
human
I want to go, please.
gpt
Mayn't I tell you something first?
human
It's not of paramount importance, he said.
gpt
But I think you may as well know it for your present edification and future guidance. Madam, I am that wicked, wanton, wily fox, that whipper-snapper, that unmitigated bounder--Nap Errol!