Rose: Why don’t you answer me? Is there some serious complication?
Dr. Van Hyde (hurriedly): Nothing serious, I assure you.... In fact, I have had no conversation with Mr. Valdingam about his health.
Rose: Then what about?... Oh, I forgot. You are very old friends.
Dr. Van Hyde: Very old friends. (Aside.) There is a strange gleam in her eyes. Poor thing! Poor thing!
Rose: It is singular that he had never spoken of you before to-night.... (After a pause of reflection.) Do you know, I feel that you called to see me, as well as papa. Am I right?
Dr. Van Hyde: Partly right, Miss Valdingam.... And I am very glad to have met you at last. I have heard so much about you.
Rose: Still, you had never seen me until this evening?
Dr. Van Hyde (taken by surprise): Oh, I had.... (Aside.) What a silly business I am making of this! She looks so perfectly sane and charming that I am tempted to forget my mission. (To Rose.) It seemed to me almost, I mean, that I had met you—I don’t know where.
Rose (aside): This is delicious. I must punish him. (Advancing toward him with an air of anger.) Sir, I perceive that you wish to mislead me. Your presence here has a professional object. Do not deny it.
Dr. Van Hyde: I—I—do not deny it.