_Ger._ Oh those fingers! They are striking terrible chords on my heart! I _will_ conquer it. But I _will_ love her. The spear shall fill its own wound. To draw it out and die, would be no victory. "I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, and then I'll rise and fight again." Brave old Sir Andrew! _Enter_ COL. G. _Col. G._ I beg your pardon, sir--a young man called while you were out. _Ger._ (_listlessly_). Very well, William. _Col. G._ Is there any message, if he calls again, sir? He said he would. _Ger._ No. (COL. G. _lingers_.) You can go. _Col. G._ I hope you feel better, sir? _Ger._ Quite well. _Col. G._ Can I get you anything, sir? _Ger._ No, thank you; I want nothing.--Why do you stay? _Col. G._ Can't you think of something I can do for you, sir? _Ger._ Fetch that red cloth. _Col. G._ Yes, sir. _Ger._ Throw it over that-- _Col. G._ This, sir? _Ger._ No, no--the clay there. Thank you. (_A knock at the door_.) See who that is. _Col. G._ Are you at home, sir? _Ger._ That depends. Not to Mr. Waterfield. Oh, my head! my head! [_Exit_ COL. G. _Enter_ CONSTANCE. GER. _starts, but keeps his head leaning on his hand_. _Con._ I forgot to say to you, Arthur,--. But you are ill! What is the matter, dear Arthur? _Ger._ (_without looking up_) Nothing--only a headache. _Con._ Do come home with me, and let aunt and me nurse you. Don't be vexed with me any more. I will do whatever you like. I couldn't go home without seeing you again. And now I find you ill! _Ger._ Not a bit. I am only dreadfully busy. I must go out of town. I am so busy! I can't stay in it a moment longer. I have so many things to do. _Con._ Mayn't I come and see you while you work? I never used to interrupt you. I want so to sit once more in my old place. (_Draws a stool towards him_.) _Ger._ No, no--not--not there! Constance used to sit there. William! _Con._ You frighten me, Arthur! _Enter_ COL. G. _Ger._ Bring a chair, William. _Constance sits down like a chidden child. Exit_ COL. G. _Con._ I must have offended you more than I thought, Arthur! What _can_ I say? It is so stupid to be always saying _I am sorry_. _Ger._ No, no. But some one may call. _Con._ You mean more than that. Will you not let me understand? _Ger._ Your friend Mr. Waterfield called a few minutes ago. He will be here again presently, I dare say. _Con._ (_indifferently_). Indeed! _Ger._ I suppose you appointed--expected--to meet him here. _Con._ Arthur! Do you think I would come to you to meet _him_? I saw him this morning; I don't want to see him again. I wish you knew him. _Ger._ Why should you want me to know him? _Con._ Because you would do him good. _Ger._ What good does he want done him? _Con._ He has got beautiful things in him--talks well--in bits--arms and feet and faces--never anything like--(_turning to the Psyche_) Why have you--? Has _she_ been naughty too? _Ger._ Is it _only_ naughty things that must be put out of sight, Constance?