human
You will stop to luncheon,
gpt
I trespass too much on your hospitality, dear madame. You must have had enough of me at our last luncheon in Paris.
human
Oh, I have forgotten all about Paris
gpt
Ah, no; but pardon me, I came to inquire about M. Demetrius.
human
Why from me? I know nothing. Wait--I do know something. He wrote me a letter saying he was better and intended to go to Russia.
gpt
Probably to see Petrovitch about his pardon. I wish I had seen him before he left Paris
human
Did you not see him?
gpt
But it was impossible, madame, he explained, without even a wink.
human
Dr. Helfmann took him away in the fiacre and I departed for Havre. I did not return to Paris.
gpt
I see; your business at Havre detained you.
human
Longer than I expected, said the diplomatist, taking his cue.
gpt
You see, madame, I was forced to repeat my conversation with M. Demetrius to my cousin the Count. I expect that he wrote to Paris, and told M. Demetrius to come to Havre for a conversation.
human
Without knowing his address? How clever!
gpt
You have me there, madame.
human
I really don't know what you mean. How is Katinka?
gpt
She is at Brussels. In good health, I believe.
human
Does she know that M. Demetrius has gone to St. Petersburg?
gpt
Possibly. He had to write announcing his engagement to you.
human
Ah, my dear M. Aksakoff, clever linguists as you Russians are, your comprehension of the English language is limited--very, very limited. M. Demetrius should have known, that in our tongue, one word may have several meanings. See--a diocese. See--to perceive by the eye.
gpt
Your illustration is felicitous, madame. I understand, then, that M. Demetrius translated 'No' as 'Yes'!
human
Oh, he was by no means so stupid as that. The man bothered me with attentions for months, and was quite a nuisance. I nearly spoke to poor dear Jim about his smirking, grinning compliments. He talked of me in clubs and followed everywhere, sighing like a furnace--if a furnace ever does sigh. I speak on Shakespeare's authority. To keep the creature quiet I said something which he apparently misconstrued--a sop to Cerberus, a cake to a child. You understand.
gpt
I think so. There was no engagement.
human
None at all. How impertinent of him to suggest such a thing, when my husband is scarcely cold in his grave! But I pardon him on account of his ignorance of our language, which undoubtedly led him into error. When I see him again I shall explain myself in a way which he will probably find disagreeable.
gpt
M. Demetrius is much to blame, madame, for not having given more attention to your English grammar. I go to St. Petersburg myself in a week. Perhaps you will give me some message to him.
human
No! The man is a fool, and I never wish to hear about him again.
gpt
Your command shall be obeyed. From this moment his name shall never be mentioned by me ; and he mentally admired the clever way in which she had wriggled out of an untenable situation. But the object of his visit had still to be approached, and at this moment an inspiration how to approach it came opportunely. The mention of poor dear Jim suggested lines upon which he might proceed with safety.
human
I come on a serious errand, madame,
gpt
Yes!