[SELIM _lowers the back of the chair, and rearranges the cushions tenderly and skilfully. A bell is heard, off._ ADENE. Oh, he understands most things. [_Exit_ SELIM _up_ C.] You see, Carlyon's methods at that time had turned them into perfect fiends! [RHEINHARDT _looks sharply up_.] Well, infected them, we'll say, with the Carlyon spirit. [RHEINHARDT _continues to look disapprovingly at_ ADENE.] Look here, Rheinhardt, do you think this is a delusion of mine about Carlyon? RHEINHARDT. No. ADENE. Then why do you look hurt whenever I refer to the things that I know about him? RHEINHARDT. Sir Carlyon may be the Devil himself; I have in him no interest. It is only the children of the Devil that I am sorry for. ADENE. [_With sudden constraint._] I have never said a word affecting Miss Carlyon. RHEINHARDT. Nor thought a word, eh? ADENE. I have no material for thinking about her, one way or the other. _Re-enter_ SELIM _with letters_. RHEINHARDT. I will give you material! SELIM. [_Interrupting and laying letters on table in front of_ RHEINHARDT.] Post! RHEINHARDT. [_Taking the letters, while_ ADENE _sits up and looks at them_.] No, you do not open your letters yet! ADENE. Goodness knows I don't want to; unless there is one from my sister---- RHEINHARDT. [_Reading the addresses._] "An den Herrn Professor Rheinhardt, M.D., Ph.D." "Dr. Rheinhardt." [_Stopping and looking again._] Ach! no. "_Miss_ Rheinhardt." It is for my assistant. [_To_ SELIM.] Here; for the Mem-sahib! ADENE. That is Carlyon's handwriting! [_Rises._ [SELIM, _who has just reached the door, turns suddenly and drops the letter with signs of fear_. ADENE _crosses towards him_. SELIM. Kal[^y]ona Sahib! [_Stands shrinking from the letter._ RHEINHARDT. What matters it to you whose letter it is? Take it! SELIM. [_In terror, catching_ ADENE'S _arm_.] Ai! ai! Sahib. [_Draws_ ADENE _into the doorway and whispers to him._ ADENE. Yes, yes, I know; but don't be afraid. [_To_ RHEINHARDT.] It is no good; he won't touch that letter! RHEINHARDT. Won't touch it? Very well, he shall not touch it. [_Takes a plate from among the curiosities on the table and puts letter upon it._] There; take it on this. [_Exit_ SELIM _with plate_.] And you, come back! [ADENE _comes down again to his chair and sits thinking_. RHEINHARDT _continues_.] Gott in Himmel! so long as it does not touch his skin, so long it is all right. [_Laughing._ ADENE. Rheinhardt, who _is_ this assistant of yours, whom I never see? RHEINHARDT. Who my assistant is?--she was a pupil of mine. ADENE. If you would allow it, I would like to see her. RHEINHARDT.