Doctor.

She comes in a dark hour, but she's welcome. [Shaking hands with Freda.] Sit down, my child.

[General salutations.

Mrs. Schiller.
[At table.] Yes, come—let us sit down at the table.

Otto.
Yes, let's sit down to tea.

[Tea is served. There is general chatter for a moment.

Margaret.
[Side by side with Freda.] So you've come to London to take the situation you wrote about?

Freda.
Yes, as governess to a little girl. But what do you think has happened? The English lady who engaged me in the Engadine has died.

Margaret.
Died in the meantime?

Freda.
Yes, she died shortly after arriving in London. But her sister—Lady Dorothy Nugent, such a nice lady—she wrote to say that my lady's husband wished me to come just the same.

Margaret.
[Startled.] Did you say Lady Dorothy Nugent, Freda?