_The truth is that Sophie is very much embarrassed. She looks as if she has been called away from her proper duties. She is a healthy maid, with tousled blond hair, cotton dress, blue apron, maid's cap and is in her stocking feet. She goes toward Louise, then stops confusedly at a little distance from her. She moves a chair needlessly, in timid embarrassment, and wipes her lips with her apron._] SOPHIE. Here's a gentleman to see you--to see--you, madam. [_Louise doesn't hear._] SOPHIE [_approaches the end of table_]. A gentleman has come--come to see--you. LOUISE [_raising herself on her elbows; with her head on her hands_]. What are you doing? SOPHIE [_confusedly_]. I--madam? Why, nothing. But there's a gentleman ... you see.... LOUISE. A gentleman? Very well, you may go. [_She closes her eyes._] SOPHIE. But ... but ... he wishes to speak to you. A gray-haired gentleman. He is standing by the portières ... over there. [_Indicates Van Elst._] [_Louise does not pay any attention to Sophie or Van Elst, but composes herself for another nap on the couch._] SOPHIE. May he come in? [_A long pause._] May he...? [_Louise does not answer. Sophie waits a bit, then she beckons Van Elst into the room._] She won't answer, sir. Maybe you'd better come back in an hour or so.... VAN ELST. Hm! No. That's impossible. [_Looks at Louise._] What's the matter with madam? Is she asleep? SOPHIE. No ... you see ... she is, you know.... VAN ELST [_approaching_]. What? SOPHIE. She isn't well.... VAN ELST. Ah, not well? SOPHIE. Yes, from.... [_Hesitates._] VAN ELST [_spying the bottles on the table_]. Has madam consumed those? SOPHIE. Yes, yes. It's awful. [_Pause._] VAN ELST. Does this happen very often? SOPHIE. Yes. Oh, yes, quite often. VAN ELST. Indeed! SOPHIE. Hadn't you better go until ... for a while? VAN ELST. No, no. I shall.... SOPHIE. Very well, sir, you know best. [_Sophie goes out of the room on tiptoe._] [_Now that Sophie is out of the room, one has an opportunity to scrutinize Van Elst more closely. He is a prosperous-looking country gentleman about fifty years old. He wears a shining tophat, white vest with a gold chain across his stomach, tight-fitting blue trousers, low shoes, white socks and a short blue coat. He is clean-shaven and when he removes his hat, one observes that his hair is close-cropped. His walking-stick, contrary to expectations, is light and slim. He takes a chair near the window, directly behind the harp, puts his hat, cane and gloves beside him on the floor and looks around. He glances at Louise, shakes his head solemnly, coughs, wipes his forehead, puts his handkerchief carefully away, coughs again, moves his chair and after some signs of nervousness, says_]: 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.