g the rose and her hand in his own_] I know for you, my
dear. Make me happy.

CATHERINE. There's nothing I wouldn't do to make you happy, Uncle, but--

FREDERIK. You know that I love you, Kitty.

PETER. Yes, yes, yes. _That's_ all understood. He has always loved you.
Everybody knows it.

CATHERINE. Uncle...

PETER. Make it a June wedding. We have ten days yet. [_Slipping her hand
in_ FREDERIK'S, _taking the rose, and tapping their clasped hands with the
flower as he speaks._

FREDERIK. Say yes, Kitty.

CATHERINE. [_Nervously_] I couldn't in ten days....

FREDERIK. But--

PETER. [_To_ FREDERIK.] Who is arranging the marriage, you or I? Say a
month, then, Katie.... Promise me.

CATHERINE. [_Her lips set._] If you have set your heart on it, I will,
Uncle Peter ... I will ... I promise.

PETER. [_Takes a ring of his hand._] The wedding ring--my dear mother's.
[_Gives it to_ CATHERINE.] You've made me very happy, my dear. [_He
kisses_ CATHERINE. _Then, releasing her, he nods to_ FREDERIK _to follow
his example._ PETER _turns his back on the young people and smokes._

FREDERIK. Catherine ... [_Dreading his embrace, she retreats towards_
PETER _and, as she touches him, his pipe falls to the floor. She looks at
him, startled._ FREDERIK, _struck, looking intently at_ PETER _who sits
motionless._

CATHERINE. Uncle Peter ... Uncle! What is it? What's the matter? [_Runs to
the door--calling across the street._] Doctor! There he is--just going
out. [_Calls._] Come back. Come back, Doctor. [_To_ FREDERIK.] I felt it.
I felt something strange a minute ago. I felt it.

FREDERIK. [_Taking_ PETER'S _hand._] Uncle Peter!

CATHERINE. [_Coming back to_ PETER _and looking at him transfixed._] Uncle
Peter! Answer me! ... It's Katie!

_The_ DOCTOR _enters hurriedly._

DR. MACPHERSON. Is it ... Peter? [_He goes quickly to_ PETER _and listens
to his heart._ CATHERINE _and_ FREDERIK _on either side of him. The_
DOCTOR _with tender sympathy takes_ CATHERINE _in his arms._

WILLIAM. [_Rushes in with two tickets in his hand, leaving the door open.
The circus music is faintly heard._] Mr. Grimm!

DR. MACPHERSON. Sh! [_A pause as though breaking the news to them all._]
He's gone.

FREDERIK. [_Questioningly--dazed._] Dead? [CATHERINE _is overcome._

WILLIAM. [_At_ PETER'S _side--holding up the circus ticket._] He can't be
dead ... I've got his ticket to the circus.

CURTAIN.

ACT II.

SCENE. _The second act takes