r.

VERA [_Bowing coldly, but still addressing her father_]
But how? When?

BARON
We have just come and----

BARONESS [_Dashing in_]
Zat charming young man lent us his yacht--he is adorahble.

VERA
What charming young man?

BARONESS
Ah, she has many, ze little coquette--ha! ha! ha!
[_She touches VERA playfully with her parasol._]

BARON
We wished to give you a pleasant surprise.

VERA
It is certainly a surprise.

BARON [_Chilled_]
You are not very ... daughterly.

VERA
Do you remember when you last saw me? You did not claim me as a daughter
then.

BARON [_Covers his eyes with his hand_]
Do not recall it; it hurts too much.

VERA
I was in the dock.

BARON
It was horrible. I hated you for the devil of rebellion that had entered
into your soul. But I thanked God when you escaped.

VERA [_Softened_]
I think I was more sorry for you than for myself. I hope, at least, no
suspicion fell on you.

BARONESS [_Eagerly_]
But it did--an avalanche of suspicion. He is still buried under it. Vy
else did they make Skovaloff Ambassador instead of him? Even now he
risks everyting to see you again. Ah, _mon enfant_, you owe your fazer a
grand reparation!

VERA
What reparation can I possibly make?

BARON [_Passionately_]
You can love me again, Vera.

BARONESS [_Stamping foot_]
Alexis, you are interrupting----

VERA
I fear, father, we have grown too estranged--our ideas are so
opposite----

BARON
But not now, Vera, surely not now? You are no longer
[_He lowers his voice and looks around_]
a Revolutionist?

VERA
Not with bombs, perhaps. I thank Heaven I was caught before I had done
any _practical_ work. But if you think I accept the order of things, you
are mistaken. In Russia I fought against the autocracy----

BARON
Hush! Hush!
[_He looks round nervously._]

VERA
Here I fight against the poverty. No, father, a woman who has once heard
the call will always be a wild creature.

BARON
But
[_Lowering his voice_]
those revolutionary Russian clubs here--you are not a member?

VERA
I do not believe in Revolutions carried on at a safe distance. I have
found my life-work in America.

BARON
I am enchanted, Vera, enchanted.

BARONESS [_Gushingly_]
Permit me to kiss you, _belle enfant_.

VERA
I do not know you enough yet; I will kiss my father.

BARON [_With a great cry of joy_]
Vera!
[_He embraces her passionately._]
At last! At last! I have found my little Vera