Ridgeon.  Yes:  I understand.

Mrs Dubedat.  Oh, if you only knew the other side of him as I do!  Do you know, doctor, that if Louis honored himself by a really bad action, I should kill myself.

Ridgeon.  Come! dont exaggerate.

Mrs Dubedat.  I should.  You don’t understand that, you east country people.

Ridgeon.  You did not see much of the world in Cornwall, did you?

Mrs Dubedat [naively] Oh yes.  I saw a great deal every day of the beauty of the world—­more than you ever see here in London.  But I saw very few people, if that is what you mean.  I was an only child.

Ridgeon.  That explains a good deal.

Mrs Dubedat.  I had a great many dreams; but at last they all came to one dream.

Ridgeon [with half a sigh] Yes, the usual dream.

Mrs Dubedat [surprised] Is it usual?

Ridgeon.  As I guess.  You havnt yet told me what it was.

Mrs Dubedat.  I didn’t want to waste myself.  I could do nothing myself; but I had a little property and I could help with it.  I had even a little beauty:  dont think me vain for knowing it.  I always had a terrible struggle with poverty and neglect at first.  My dream was to save one of them from that, and bring some charm and happiness into his life.  I prayed Heaven to send me one.  I firmly believe that Louis was guided to me in answer to my prayer.  He was no more like the other men I had met than the Thames Embankment is like our Cornish coasts.  He saw everything that I saw, and drew it for me.  He understood everything.  He came to me like a child.  Only fancy, doctor:  he never even wanted to marry me:  he never thought of the things other men think of!  I had to propose it myself.  Then he said he had no money.  When I told him I had some, he said “Oh, all right,” just like a boy.  He is still like that, quite unspoiled, a man in his thoughts, a great poet and artist in his dreams, and a child in his ways.  I gave him myself and all I had that he might grow to his full height with plenty of sunshine.  If I lost faith in him, it would mean the wreck and failure of my life.  I should go back to Cornwall and die.  I could show you the very cliff I should jump off.  You must cure him:  you must make him quite well again for me.  I know that you can do it and that nobody else can.  I implore you not to refuse what I am going to ask you to do.  Take Louis yourself; and let Sir Ralph cure Dr Blenkinsop.

Ridgeon [slowly] Mrs Dubedat:  do you really believe in my knowledge and skill as you say you do?

Mrs Dubedat.  Absolutely.  I do not give my trust by halves.

Ridgeon.  I know that.  Well, I am going to test you—­hard.  Will you believe me when I tell you that I understand what you have just told me; that I have no desire but to serve you in the most faithful friendship; and that your hero must be preserved to you.