ELIZABETH.

You sometimes speak as if I were no help to you at all!

CARLYON.

Do I? Well, I think I know what you are going to say this time.

ELIZABETH.

What?

CARLYON.

First that I was reckless the other day to talk as I did, and quote that tiger song.

ELIZABETH.

Yes.

CARLYON.

Well, I wasn't. I knew what I was doing.

ELIZABETH.

That was not the chief thing.

CARLYON.

Next, that Adene, of all men in the world, must not be sent researching in Bhojal.

ELIZABETH.

Yes.

CARLYON.

And, thirdly, that there is a way of stopping him.

ELIZABETH.

You mean that he cares for Vera? [CARLYON _nods_.] That is just it! Do not put too much on her. She is more than half in love with him, too.

CARLYON.

[_Rather irritably._] Oh, that's nonsense.

ELIZABETH.

Haven't you seen how she is always watching him? Her face clouds at once if you speak of him suddenly; she has grown quite pensive.

CARLYON.

Why, she'd sooner buckle my shoes than have him at her feet!

ELIZABETH.

Oh, of course. I didn't mean as much as that. But I do wish you would find some safer way.

CARLYON.

[_Ironically._] Explain matters to the present Rajpoor Government, eh?

H'm, well, now it's off your mind, Elizabeth. You must feel better?

ELIZABETH.

You _will_ be careful about her?

CARLYON.

I will tell her as much as ever she can bear! However, you have been of some use this time.

[_Rises; nods kindly to her. Enter_ VERA _by the steps_; ELIZABETH _moves off towards the French window_.

VERA.

Where are you going, Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH.

Just to look at my birds. [_Exit_ ELIZABETH.

CARLYON.

Vera, I am going to confide in you. Will you help me?

VERA.

Oh, father, if you will only let me try! I have longed for you to try me; but you never seemed to have any difficulties.

CARLYON.

As a soldier, you know! Absolute obedience!

VERA.

How could I ever disobey you?

CARLYON.