CARLYON.

[_Coming up to her._] There speaks my brave girl again! What could he do with that crippled life? And think of the long years that lie before me--and you with me.

[_He turns and walks a little way up the garden._

VERA.

If it were any one but you!

_Re-enter_ RHEINHARDT _down the steps; he sees_ VERA _but not_ CARLYON.

RHEINHARDT.

You were quite right, quite right! You have seen at a glance what it would take weeks and weeks--Of course it was just a piece of luck; it was not any skill--you have none. [_To_ CARLYON.] Ah, I did not see you!

I was talking of your daughter's work.

CARLYON.

[_Coming down to_ RHEINHARDT.] Ah, Dr. Rheinhardt, I know the sad piece of work you are referring to. Is there no hope?

RHEINHARDT.

[_To_ VERA.] Did you speak hereof to another person?

VERA.

Only my father, Dr. Rheinhardt.

RHEINHARDT.

"Only"! "Only"! And you wish to be a doctor!

CARLYON.

Come, Doctor, you mustn't be hard upon her. I extorted the facts.

RHEINHARDT.

A professional secret cannot be extorted! Miss Carlyon has only one apology: she is not yet even in name a physician, and has time to reflect before she attempts it to become.

CARLYON.

Well, I will leave her to be scolded alone. It is worse before witnesses! Unless you would care to say anything to me?

RHEINHARDT.

That is not my affair.

[_Exit_ CARLYON, _with a sort of stern, humorous defiance_, L.]

So it was an extortion, eh? A compulsion?

VERA.

Yes.

RHEINHARDT.

And now you are sorry for what you have done? eh? and you pray forgiveness, and you will never do it again?

VERA.

No, I had to. I would always do the same.

RHEINHARDT.

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.

VERA.

Don't do that.

RHEINHARDT.

I will put you to a test. Your conclusions are right, if your observations are right. That is what I must see.

VERA.

Are _you_ going to tell him?

RHEINHARDT.

Tell him? Am I mad? And what is more, he must not know that you have watched him. You understand?

VERA.

Oh, yes! [_She sits down, dispiritedly._

RHEINHARDT.

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!

VERA.

You don't think--there couldn't be any chance of an operation?

RHEINHARDT.