human
Oh! you will come to me, said she,
gpt
I am very sure of that. Let us see how you will begin the conversation.
human
The air is fresher here, is it not, young woman?
gpt
Well, that is commonplace enough,
human
Why doesn't your mistress take a little walk? Why not let this light breeze cool her heated brow?
gpt
The wind which blows from the land of exile is more burning than flames of fire,
human
Is it so dreadful, then, to dwell in one castle rather than in another? said the Prince.
gpt
Fatkoura shall be treated like a queen. I swear that I desire her captivity to be more sweet than liberty is to most people. Tell me what does she like?
human
Did she not tell you that she cared for nothing now? Once she was fond of dress, and music, and festivity; more than all else she loved to hear the footsteps of her lover on the outer gallery.
gpt
She was very fond of this Nagato, then?
human
She loved him as he deserved to be loved; he is the most perfect knight imaginable.
gpt
There are others as good,
human
You think so! cried Tika, with an incredulous air;
gpt
I never heard of them.
human
He loves her madly, I suppose?
gpt
How could any one help loving her?
human
True, she is beautiful,
gpt
You think her beautiful now, when her eyes are drowned in tears, and when she scorns the aid of paint and dress. If you had seen her when she was happy!
human
I will do my utmost to bring back a smile to her lips,
gpt
There is but one way to do that.
human
What is it? Tell me.
gpt
To restore her to her husband.
human
You mock me,
gpt
I, sir! said Tika, clasping her hands;
human
Very well! then she must be sad, said Tosa;
gpt
I shall not set her free.
human
Alas!
gpt
Silence! cried the Prince, stamping his foot.
human
Why do you say alas? what difference does it make to you whether you wait upon her here or there. Don't you see that she has fascinated me, and that I am miserable?
gpt
I did not think that you would confide in me quite so soon, she muttered when he was gone.
human
I divined your secret long ago; but you little guess how ready I am to favor your love.
gpt
You desert me, to talk with our jailer,
human
It was he who came to talk to me, mistress, said Tika;
gpt
What did he tell you?
human
Must I repeat his words? you will not be angry?
gpt
I don't know; but speak.
human
Well, he said that you were the jailer, and he was your prisoner.
gpt
What do you mean?
human
That the Prince of Tosa loves Fatkoura, and that if she is skilful, she can make him obey her every whim.
gpt
I despise him too much to heed whether he loves or hates me?
human
He is not so contemptible, said Tika;
gpt
Can you speak in such terms of our mortal enemy, Tika?
human
Do not scold me, said Tika, with a caressing air.
gpt
I must hate him less, since I know that your grace has conquered him, and that in a few hours you have subjugated his heart.
human
Yes, you cannot forget that another turns his eyes from me, and you are grateful to this man for repairing the outrage inflicted upon me!