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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.
