Van Elst. Aren't you making a mistake? I'm not....
Louise [raising herself halfway, left elbow on table, head on hand, the other arm outstretched on the table. She looks unseeingly at him]. Don't you want to?
Van Elst. But I'm not ... how shall I put it? I've come to speak with you very seriously.
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 embarrassed 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.