[_Slowly._] There is much reason to fear that you may have what we call a glioma in the substance of the brain. But you need not yet be uneasy. You may live a considerable time. ADENE. Is there no operation possible? RHEINHARDT. None at all, none at all! It would be criminal at present. ADENE. How long shall I have the use of my faculties? RHEINHARDT. You may well live until some experimentation---- Yes, the subject is being much attended to. ADENE. Oh, Rheinhardt, you are my friend. How long can I calculate upon? Two months? One month? RHEINHARDT. Longer than that. ADENE. Six months? [RHEINHARDT _assents._] Then I must start at once. I can do most of it! [_Coming across to_ VERA.] Thank you. Miss Carlyon, for letting me know. Forgive me for what I said--what I tried to say. I did not, of course, know how painful it was. I shall always--I am privileged now, am I not?--I shall always love and honour you, and be grateful for the anxiety you showed to save me from what you thought a danger. But I shall be happier when I get to work. VERA. But you won't go? You won't go! Is it all for nothing? ADENE. Will work hurt me, Rheinhardt? RHEINHARDT. Far better work than not--if you can. ADENE. Oh, I can, sure enough. Miss Carlyon, may I---- VERA. No, no! Go away from me and forget that you ever saw me. [_She falls on the settee, sobbing._ ADENE. Good-bye, Rheinhardt. But you must have another look at me, to make certain. RHEINHARDT. Of course I must. [_Exit_ ADENE.] Ach, Gott! What a man! But he must break down. He must break down! Oh, if Steinmetz were to be right after all? [_Passing by_ VERA.] Ach! you miserable, you rotten-hearted girl! END OF THE SECOND ACT. THE THIRD ACT _A sitting-room in_ CARLYON'S _house; time_, 10 _p.m. Doors left and right; also in right back corner opening into veranda with aviary_. ELIZABETH _is in the aviary crooning to her Himalayan eagles_; CARLYON _is writing_ L.C.; VERA, _with the_ British Medical Journal _in her hand, watches him rather anxiously till he ceases and begins to read over his letter, then she rises and comes up to him_. VERA. Are you busy, Father? CARLYON. I am only reasoning with Her Majesty's Government. There, copy that! [_Gives her the draft letter._ VERA. There is a thing you ought perhaps to see in this paper--some experiments of Dr. Steinmetz. [_Offering him the_ B. M. J. CARLYON. [_Sharply._] What paper? VERA. Only the _British Medical Journal_. You said I could keep it on. CARLYON. You have given up all the others? VERA. Yes. All except this. There is an article here---- [_Offers it to him again: he does not take it._ CARLYON. Do you care about this one? VERA. [_With a sigh and a smile._] I have read it all through three times. CARLYON. [_Rising; peremptorily._] Vera, I don't offer you my work as a _pis aller_. If you wish to go back to your medicine. . . . VERA. Dr. Rheinhardt has definitely forbidden me! CARLYON.