[True, the spirit of being a maid is lost on Gilles. But he can cooperate, within limits, and without much actual loyalty to be depended upon, in this case.]

Please do. You can count on me to do it with pleasure!

[Since there's no Baalberith to tell him what to do, he doesn't even have a contract by association right now.]

I have to talk like that, because the stairs like it.

[Yes. That makes perfect sense. Not that he wouldn't enjoy talking like that regardless. When William asks about the theatre, however, Gilles turns to him in some surprise, his eyes widening.]

Willy!

[He has instantly ignored the request not to call William "Willy", sorry. Now that they're on these more intimate going-on-an-outing terms, surely they're on a nickname basis, too.]

You know about my plays? You do care about me!

[Gilles reaches out to put an arm around William and attempts to draw him in close.]

I knew you did. You were just putting on an act around everyone else, isn't that right? So they wouldn't get jealous.