DR. MACPHERSON.  Eh?...

FREDERIK.  And just before I—­I saw him—­I—­I had the ... the strangest impulse to go to the foot of the stairs and call Kitty—­give her the house—­and run—­run—­get out of it.

DR. MACPHERSON.  Oh, a good impulse, I see!  Very unusual, I should say.

FREDERIK.  I thought he gave me a terrible look—­a terrible look.

DR. MACPHERSON.  Your uncle?

FREDERIK.  Yes.  My God!  I won’t forget that look!  And as I started out of the room—­he blotted out....  I mean—­I thought I saw him blot out; ... then I left the photograph on the desk and—­

DR. MACPHERSON.  That’s how William came by it. [Jots down a couple of notes.] Did you ever have this impulse before—­to give up Catherine—­to let her have the cottage?

FREDERIK.  Not much, I hadn’t.  Certainly not.  I told you someone else was thinking for me.  I don’t want to give her up.  It’s folly!  I’ve always been fond of her.  But if she has turned against me, I’m not going to sit here and cry about it.  I shall be up and off. [Rising.] But I’ll tell you one thing:  from this time, I propose to think for myself.  I’ve taken a room at the hotel and a few things for the night.  I’ve done with this house.  I’d like to sell it along with the gardens, and let a stranger raze it to the ground; but—­[Thinks as he looks towards the desk.] when I walk out of here to-night—­it’s hers—­she can have it. ...  I wouldn’t sleep here....  I give her the home because ...

DR. MACPHERSON.  Because you don’t believe anything; but you want to be on the safe side in case he—­[Gesturing to desk.] was there.

FREDERIK. [Puzzled—­awed—­his voice almost dropping to a whisper.] How do you account for it, Doctor?

DR. MACPHERSON.  It might have been an hallucination or perhaps you did see him, though it could have been inflammation of conscience, Frederik:  when did you last see Annamarie?

FREDERIK. [Angrily.] Haven’t I told you already that I refuse to answer any questions as to my—­

DR. MACPHERSON.  I think it only fair to tell you that it won’t make a particle of difference whether you answer me or not.  I have someone on the track now—­working from an old address; I’ve called in the detectives and I’ll find her, you may be sure of that.  As long as I’m going to know it, I may as well hear your side of it, too.  When did you last see Annamarie?

FREDERIK. [Sits—­answers dully, mechanically, after a pause.] About three years ago.

DR. MACPHERSON.  Never since?

FREDERIK.  No.

DR. MACPHERSON.  What occurred the last time you saw her?

FREDERIK. [Quietly, as before.] What always occurs when a young man realizes that he has his life before him, must be respected—­looked up to, settle down, think of his future and forget a silly girl?

DR. MACPHERSON.  A scene took place, eh?  Was William present?