Not the faintest! Not the ghost! Operation? Bah! it would be criminal, it would be an a.s.sa.s.sinate! [_With a climax of contempt._] Ugh! it is what Steinmetz would do!

VERA.

[_Rising._] Would Steinmetz try it? He is coming over here for the Medical Congress.

RHEINHARDT.

Gott im Himmel! Would Steinmetz ever refuse an a.s.sa.s.sinate? He would just kill him one year sooner, that is all. He is dying fast enough for me.

VERA.

[_To herself._] Is it worth while to be so long dying?

RHEINHARDT.

Are you coming in?

VERA.

No, I want to sit out in the air. [_She sits again._

RHEINHARDT.

Ah, then the thesis is finished: or is it given up?

VERA.

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!

ADENE.

[_From inside._] Miss Carlyon! Yes, I am coming at once.

_Enter_ ELIZABETH _hurriedly from the house_.

ELIZABETH.

What is it? Why do you call him?

VERA.

I have something to say to him.

ELIZABETH.

Vera, Vera, have you thought well what you are doing?

VERA.

No, and I won't think!

ELIZABETH.

You must not betray your father!

[_Holding her arm._

VERA.

[_Throwing her off._] It is not my father I am betraying!

ELIZABETH.

[_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_.

ADENE.

I have just been writing----

VERA.

You are perfectly determined to go?

ADENE.

Of course. Why?

VERA.

Is there nothing you could think of that would turn you back?

ADENE.

No; especially now that your father approves.

VERA.

But will you go on to other places after Bhojal?

ADENE.

Naturally. Why are you cross-examining me? I will confess everything.

VERA.

And if you find an Englishman who has done wrong ever so long ago to a native, you will expose him?