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Rh "You're out of humour."

"Need I say they want Addie again at home?"

"Who's ill this time?"

"Emilie."

"Mrs. van Raven?"

"Yes, she calls herself Mrs. van Naghel now."

"I know. She's the one who ran away with her brother, years ago."

"There was rather a scandal about that, wasn't there?"

"People didn't exactly know. . . ."

"I don't like her. She's ill every summer. Then she becomes funny. And then she has to see my husband of course. Hence the telegram from Mamma."

"The other day . . . Mrs. van der Welcke saw . . ."

"Saw what?"

"That I was holding your hand."

"What about it? You're a friend. We've known each other for years, since we were quite young. . . . Do you know, Mamma warned me against you . . ."

"Against me?"

"She was afraid that . . ."

"What?"

"You would fall in love with me."

"I am in love with you."

"Now, Johan, you're not to say that."

"You know I always have been."

"You were in love with Gerdy."

"For a minute only. . . . With you I have always been in love. Long ago. At our Cinderella dances. . . . In love? I've always loved you."

"You must not talk like that. I . . . I love my husband."