human
So! she snapped, her little face hard and wrinkled like a sour apple.
gpt
We have now open treachery at headquarters. Treachery against Church and State. You, the representative of the King, the upholder of the faith! You shall be stripped of your power and be disgraced. And I will walk a hundred miles barefoot, if there be need, to see sentence executed upon you.
human
Out of my sight, he said fiercely.
gpt
Out, I say. Madame, my forbearance is at an end, and I will be obeyed. Would you have me forget that you are a woman and a relative?
human
Since you have forgot your duty to God and the King, forget that also, screamed the little woman.
gpt
Seducer, what have you done with my daughter? Where have you hidden her? Abductor! You shall learn what it means to defy Holy Church. Tell me, where have you taken her?
human
I left my cousin not three hours ago in the place where she is confined as an impenitent by the judgment of the Abbé Laroche. There you shall find her.
gpt
Arnaud, shrieked Madame,
human
If you have information, I will in my official capacity hear it, Roussilac answered.
gpt
But forget not that my nature can be fiercer than yours, and do not tempt my power.
human
Your power! sneered Madame.
gpt
It has already departed from you. I thank you, Arnaud, for having disowned your honest family. How ill the cloak of innocence lies upon your shoulders! Madeleine's cell stands empty, as you know well. Beside the door the sentry lies stabbed through the heart, murdered by your hand as surely as though you yourself had driven home the dagger. I have but come from there, and none know what has been done, save you the doer, and I the accuser.
human
What took you to her prison?
gpt
You are a brave rogue, Arnaud. You plot, and murder, and seduce, and smile through it all, and act the innocent like a mime. Know that Father St Agapit came to me--a haughty priest, with no respect for age--to recommend that Madeleine should be entrusted to his care, that he might obtain her conversion by a new method. 'Let her not be crossed,' quoth he. ''Tis human nature to offend more deeply in the front of opposition. I would let her go free, and win her by gentle persuasion to the fold.' What does a priest know of the pride of a girl's heart? 'Is the branch broken by persuasion for the fire?' said I. 'No, you shall take it in hand strongly and break it by force.' To that the abbé said, 'You shall not compare the inanimate thing with the living creature whom God has gifted with free-will. Go now to her and be gentle. Try her with mother's milk rather than with the strong meat of human nature. I have bidden the sentry admit you.' So I went to win my erring child as the priest taught me, for I never yet have disobeyed a Churchman, and what I found you know.
human
You are right, Madame, if what you say be true, said Roussilac sternly.
gpt
There is treachery here.
human
Behold my hand! It points at the traitor, screamed the pale woman, her fury surging back upon her.
gpt
You shall not escape with your fellow-sinner. You shall not go from me until I hear from your own lips where you have placed Madeleine, my child.
human
Woman, I know nothing, he snarled.
gpt
Is my position nothing to me that I should play so loosely?