[_Vennema comes in hesitating and stops at the door. He is a kindly country parson type, wholly gray, with a gray beard and mustache. He is wearing an ecclesiastical hat, a black coat and black trousers. He gazes about anxiously and finally his eyes light on Van der Elst. Van der Elst beckons to Vennema and indicates Louise on the couch. Sophie goes out._] VAN ELST. There she is. VENNEMA. Is she ill? VAN ELST. No, that isn't it. She's dreaming. She's very nervous. She was quite agitated a moment ago. VENNEMA. What did she say? VAN ELST. She wouldn't listen to me. She insisted on speaking of other things. As a matter of fact; she acted very queerly. LOUISE. First prize ... splendid. VENNEMA. What's the matter with her? VAN ELST. I don't know. Nerves perhaps. VENNEMA. Has she had a fainting spell? VAN ELST. Don't worry about it. She'll be better in a little while. VENNEMA [_noticing the bottles_]. Is she...? VAN ELST. I don't know. VENNEMA. Couldn't you tell? You may tell me. VAN ELST. Yes; I think a little. VENNEMA. That hurts. I never thought she would allow herself to get into such a state. Has she been this way for a long time? VAN ELST. About ten minutes, I should say. But she'll be quite all right in a little while. VENNEMA. I can't help being distressed over it. That she should have descended to this! VAN ELST. Do you know what the maid told me? She said that they are happy together, and that he is truly in love with her. VENNEMA. Yes. But why did he allow her to go this far? VAN ELST. She won't see anybody. VENNEMA. Not even me? Her father? VAN ELST. Perhaps you. VENNEMA. What do you think? Will she come home with us? Have you found out? VAN ELST. She didn't pay any attention to me. She didn't quite understand my mission. I don't know. Perhaps you had better speak to her. LOUISE [_calling_]. I.... Oh.... Help! [_She sits up in the middle of the couch, with her hands to her face. She droops and seems to fall asleep in a sitting posture._] VENNEMA. Is she...? VAN ELST. Yes, she's coming to. LOUISE [_wakes with a start_]. Bah! [_She looks around, does not recognize Van der Elst and Vennema. Then, peering closer, she registers surprise, sudden fright and finally anger. Van der Elst is about to speak, but she interrupts him._] LOUISE. Who are you? [_Coughs._] Who are you and what is your business here? Go away.... Go away. VAN ELST. Madam.... I.... VENNEMA. Let me speak. [_He goes toward Louise._] Louise ... it is I. Don't you recognize me? [_After a pause._] Louise! LOUISE [_after a pause_]. Father! VENNEMA. Aren't you glad to see your father? LOUISE [_in a low tone of voice_]. Oh, father. VENNEMA. You are not ill, my child? LOUISE. No. Why have you come? VENNEMA. I wanted to speak to you. LOUISE. Why did you come? Why? VENNEMA [_seating himself beside Louise on the couch_]. Listen to me, my dear. LOUISE. Yes. VENNEMA. I came to find out whether you are happy or not.