[_Exit_ CARLYON, _with a sort of stern, humorous defiance_, L.]
So it was an extortion, eh? A compulsion?
And now you are sorry for what you have done? eh? and you pray forgiveness, and you will never do it again?
No, I had to. I would always do the same.
Gott im Himmel! Then I blame you no more! If you can show courage to Rheinhardt!--You may have had reasons. Well, well, I trust you.
I will put you to a test. Your conclusions are right, if your observations are right. That is what I must see.
Tell him? Am I mad? And what is more, he must not know that you have watched him. You understand?
This diagnosis, you are proud of it, eh? Well, we shall say nothing about it. [VERA _nods_.] I will speak of his headaches; he will let me treat them. Then I will watch! I will watch!
You don't think--there couldn't be any chance of an operation?
Not the faintest! Not the ghost! Operation? Bah! it would be criminal, it would be an assassinate! [_With a climax of contempt._] Ugh! it is what Steinmetz would do!
[_Rising._] Would Steinmetz try it? He is coming over here for the Medical Congress.
Gott im Himmel! Would Steinmetz ever refuse an assassinate? He would just kill him one year sooner, that is all. He is dying fast enough for me.
[_To herself._] Is it worth while to be so long dying?
No, I want to sit out in the air. [_She sits again._
Ah, then the thesis is finished: or is it given up?
Doctor, don't be angry with me for little things, when there may come great ones. [_Shakes his hand._] Just to show that you forgive me this time for telling father. I expect some day you will never forgive me. [RHEINHARDT _looks curiously at her, and exit_. VERA _waits motionless for an instant, then rises with a hard laugh_.] Well, the sooner the better. [_Going across to window back._] Mr. Adene! Mr. Adene!
[_From inside._] Miss Carlyon! Yes, I am coming at once.
_Enter_ ELIZABETH _hurriedly from the house_.
Vera, Vera, have you thought well what you are doing?
[_Throwing her off._] It is not my father I am betraying!
[_Letting go._] Thank Heaven for that! Oh, child! put all your faith in him, and, whatever you suffer, you will never be lonely or forsaken!
[_Exit_ ELIZABETH, _as_ ADENE _appears on the steps, pen in hand_.