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?
VAN ELST [_astonished_]. Certainly, but....
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.
VAN ELST [_pulling his chair closer_]. I don't see why....
LOUISE. Don't you think I'm very beautiful and wise?
VAN ELST. I have very serious things to discuss with you. Will you listen to me? [_He assumes an important pose._]
LOUISE. Why do you take on such a severe tone? You must be more gentle--very gentle.
VAN ELST. Hm! Very well. First let me tell you who I am. My name is Van der Elst. I'm the new attorney back home, and I am a friend of your father's.
VAN ELST. I think a lot of your father. As you know, Mr. Degudo was your father's lawyer; but he's gone away and I've taken his place.
LOUISE. Why am I honored with these confidences?
VAN ELST [_angrily_]. I told you that my name is Van der Elst, attorney-at-law.