HELEN
[_turns and looks at him a moment_]
You can"t imagine what a weight this takes off my mind.
[_She looks away and sighs._
ERNEST
[_enthusiastically_]
Yes! I feel as if a veil between us had been lifted.
[_He looks away and sighs too. Some one begins "Tristan and Isolde" on the piano within. The moon is up._
HELEN
[_after a pause_]
Suppose we talk about--our work.
ERNEST
Yes! Our work. Let"s drop the other subject. Look at the moon!
[_Music and the moonlight flooding them._
HELEN
Seriously, you promise never to _mention_ the subject again?
[_She keeps her eyes averted._
ERNEST
I promise.
[_He keeps his eyes averted._
HELEN
[_turning to him with a sudden change to girlish enthusiasm_]
Then I"ll go to Paris with you!
ERNEST
[_recoils_]
What"s that?
HELEN
Why, Doctor Metchnikoff--he promised me he would invite you.
ERNEST
Yes, but--
HELEN
Don"t miss the chance of a lifetime!
ERNEST
No, but you--_you_ can"t come!
HELEN
[_simply_]
If you need me I can, and you just said----
ERNEST
But you mustn"t come to Paris with me!
HELEN
Don"t you want me with you?
ERNEST