LOUISE [_has seated herself in the middle of the couch. She extends her arms with a smiling invitation_]. Don"t you dare?
VAN ELST [_very considerably embarra.s.sed by this time. He coughs and mops his face_]. It isn"t quite necessary. We can talk this way.
LOUISE [_smiling_]. I will come to you, you know. Ah, you don"t realize....
VAN ELST [_rising, disturbed_]. No. Please stay where you are. Don"t trouble yourself. I can hear you from where you are, and you can hear me.
LOUISE [_ignores his words completely, gets up dizzily and gropes with the aid of the table toward the chair. She leans on the arm of the chair and looks at Van Elst. She points out the small chair_]. Come here.
VAN ELST [_after some deliberation, sits at her side_]. We had better.... [_His voice dies in a mutter._]
LOUISE [_insistent_]. No. Here at my side. Sit close to me, then I"ll be able to hear you better.
VAN ELST [_pulling his chair closer_]. I don"t see why....
LOUISE. Don"t you think I"m very beautiful and wise?
VAN ELST. I have very serious things to discuss with you. Will you listen to me? [_He a.s.sumes an important pose._]
LOUISE. Why do you take on such a severe tone? You must be more gentle--very gentle.
VAN ELST. Hm! Very well. First let me tell you who I am. My name is Van der Elst. I"m the new attorney back home, and I am a friend of your father"s.
LOUISE. Well?
VAN ELST. I think a lot of your father. As you know, Mr. Degudo was your father"s lawyer; but he"s gone away and I"ve taken his place.
LOUISE. Why am I honored with these confidences?
VAN ELST. You ought to know who I am.
LOUISE. Well, what"s your name?
VAN ELST [_angrily_]. I told you that my name is Van der Elst, attorney-at-law.
LOUISE [_smiling vapidly_]. Have you any bonbons with you?
VAN ELST. What sort of a question is that, madam? You"re not listening to me. [_He gets up angrily, about to collect his effects prior to leaving._]
LOUISE. Are you leaving me so soon? If I were you, I wouldn"t leave.
[_Van Elst walks back and forth in annoyance, muttering all the while._]
LOUISE. What are you muttering about? Come here and sit by my side. Last week I received flowers from an old gentleman, an old gentleman. At least that is what the girl said. He sent them for my shoulders, mind you. You see, he had seen my shoulders. Please sit down. That"s why he sent me flowers--[_extending her hand_] and this ring came with them.
Look! [_Van der Elst has taken a seat. She thrusts her hand before his face._] It"s the thin one.
VAN ELST. Madam, I didn"t come for this frivolity.
LOUISE. What would you give if you could kiss me?
[_Van Elst coughs and fumbles with his handkerchief._]
LOUISE. Do you know what I suspect? I suspect that you are the old gentleman in question.
VAN ELST [_getting up in high dudgeon_]. Madam, I consider that accusation entirely improper, in view of the fact that I am a respectable married man. I want you to know that I keep out of these things. My reputation is above reproach. Do you intend to listen to me or not?
LOUISE. Don"t shout so.
VAN ELST. Do you talk this way always? You amaze me.
LOUISE [_smiling_]. I suspect you are the gentleman with the pretty touch about my shoulders. Well, sit down. Is he gone? Are you gone?
VAN ELST [_stepping forwardly boldly_]. I am still here. This is positively the last time I"ll ask you to listen to me. I a.s.sure you, my patience is nearly exhausted. Your father and mother, your family have asked me to bring the following to your notice. Your present conduct has caused a great scandal. You"ve left your family for a man who is too far above you socially ever to make you his wife. Consequently, you have become his mistress.
LOUISE. Eh?
VAN ELST. I"m not through yet. Your father and mother have requested me to ask you to come back home. They await you with open arms.
LOUISE. Don"t be silly. Sit down.
VAN ELST. Oh, it"s useless.
LOUISE [_incoherently_]. Will you promise to tell me?
VAN ELST. I suppose I"ll have to wait. [_He sits down in utter despair._]
LOUISE [_goes up to him unsteadily, groping for the arm of the chair.
With a laugh_]. Tell me, which one was it. This shoulder or this one?
Ah, aren"t you clever! You"re the old gentleman, aren"t you, you old duck?
VAN ELST. A useless commission. Poor parents!
LOUISE. What"s that? The joke"s on me.
VAN ELST. Next she"ll ask me to dance with her, I suppose.
LOUISE. Dance? No dancing. Don"t get up. You needn"t get up. I don"t mean it ... really, I don"t.
[_Louise sits in front of the harp and runs her fingers idly over the strings. Then slowly, she plays the same melody she hummed previously. She hums it again dreamily. The music grows softer and softer. She sighs, stops playing, her head drops to her hands and she falls limply to the floor._]
VAN ELST. Good G.o.d, what"s this? It wasn"t my fault. I suppose I was cruel to her. [_Walks excitedly back and forth. Sophie enters._]
SOPHIE. What"s the matter?
VAN ELST. Look at your mistress. I can"t make out what"s wrong with her.
SOPHIE. Oh, that"s nothing. It happens every day. Just a fainting fit.