Van Elst. No, no. I shall....
Sophie. Very well, sir, you know best. [Sophie goes out of the room on tiptoe.]
[Now that Sophie is out of the room, one has an opportunity to scrutinize Van Elst more closely. He is a prosperous-looking country gentleman about fifty years old. He wears a shining tophat, white vest with a gold chain across his stomach, tight-fitting blue trousers, low shoes, white socks and a short blue coat. He is clean-shaven and when he removes his hat, one observes that his hair is close-cropped. His walking-stick, contrary to expectations, is light and slim. He takes a chair near the window, directly behind the harp, puts his hat, cane and gloves beside him on the floor and looks around. He glances at Louise, shakes his head solemnly, coughs, wipes his forehead, puts his handkerchief carefully away, coughs again, moves his chair and after some signs of nervousness, says]:
Van Elst. Miss ... may I have a word with you? [Louise doesn't hear.]
Van Elst [with growing embarrassment]. I ... I should like to speak to you.
Louise [a little wildly]. Are you there?
Van Elst [taken aback]. Yes ... no ... yes.... I.... Whom do you mean?
Louise. Come here beside me.
Van Elst [astonished]. Certainly, but....
Louise [sighing]. Come ... come.