You could win Rheinhardt round in ten minutes. The point is--do you wish it? VERA. [_Dispiritedly._] Oh, no; I want only to serve you. When you first spoke of making me your secretary, it came to me like a ray of sunlight. CARLYON. But now you have regrets? VERA. No. I always felt a sort of doubt and fear of things when I depended on myself; and now that is all gone. CARLYON. You don't feel at home in my world yet; naturally. VERA. I think I do. It is so restful to have you to guide me and judge for me. Only I do enjoy this old thing--[_showing the_ B. M. J.]--and it takes very little time. CARLYON. It is not a question of time; it is a question of divided allegiance. VERA. I will give it up it you think right, father. CARLYON. No, not just yet. Here are three more letters. [_Hands them to her._] Decline that. Agree to that. Tell the Deputation to come on the 15th at 10 A.M. VERA. Yes. CARLYON. Also write out a telegram. [_Looks at her and pauses._] No; that is all. Take them upstairs; I may want to dictate something. VERA. Yes. [_Exit_ VERA. CARLYON _sits again_. ELIZABETH, _who has approached from the veranda, looks at_ CARLYON _questioningly_. CARLYON. Well, Elizabeth? [_Not looking up, absently._ ELIZABETH. [_Standing above him._] Aren't you hard upon her? She did so love her medicine! And she has hardly any of her old light-heartedness left. CARLYON. She has got some, and I shall have to take that away. Do you know, Elizabeth, you were light-hearted once? ELIZABETH. But you won't make her like me? CARLYON. Precisely, except that she'll be cleverer. I suppose you are happy enough at the end of the process? ELIZABETH. Oh, _I_ am happy if only I can satisfy you. But she will never quite give herself up. CARLYON. Oh yes, she will! Why, already she follows without question every word I speak! ELIZABETH. [_Coming round in front of him._] Every spoken word, I should hope so! But what about your unspoken thoughts and feelings? Oh, you _know_ she will never be like me. Can you bring _her_ in from another room by wishing for her? Does _she_ come in smiling if you are glad, and sad if you are angry? [CARLYON _shrugs his shoulders_.] Has there ever been any one but me like that? CARLYON. [_With a laugh._] Well, Selim for one! And the late Khan of Bhojal for another! However, since you can read my feelings, do you know what is the matter with me to-night? ELIZABETH. No, I know that you are troubled. CARLYON. I have had letters from Rajpoor; that man Adene has come back across the frontier from Bhojal. And that's not all; read this. [_Gives her a letter._ ELIZABETH. [_Reading._] Well, when once you let him go---- CARLYON. A sick half-dying man like that--the chances were enormous against his ever returning. ELIZABETH. [_Reading._] What is all this long description of the man who has come back with him? "A huge one-armed Mahometan----" CARLYON.