TESMAN.

[At the same time.] And you, Judge Brack-what do you say to this? Eh?

BRACK.

Well, I say that a moral victory-h'm-may be all very fine- TESMAN.

Yes, certainly. But all the same- HEDDA.

[Looking at TESMAN with a cold smile.] You stand there looking as if you were thunderstruck- TESMAN.

Yes-so I am-I almost think- BRACK.

Don't you see, Mrs. Tesman, a thunderstorm has just pa.s.sed over?

HEDDA.

[Pointing towards the room.] Will you not take a gla.s.s of cold punch, gentlemen?

BRACK.

[Looking at his watch.] A stirrup-cup? Yes, it wouldn't come amiss.

TESMAN.

A capital idea, Hedda! Just the thing! Now that the weight has been taken off my mind- HEDDA.

Will you not join them, Mr. Lovborg?

LOVBORG.

[With a gesture of refusal.] No, thank you. Nothing for me.

BRACK.

Why bless me-cold punch is surely not poison.

LOVBORG.

Perhaps not for everyone.

HEDDA.

I will keep Mr. Lovborg company in the meantime.

TESMAN.

Yes, yes, Hedda dear, do.

[He and BRACK go into the inner room, seat themselves, drink punch, smoke cigarettes, and carry on a lively conversation during what follows. EILERT LOVBORG remains standing beside the stove. HEDDA goes to the writing-table.

HEDDA.

[Raising he voice a little.] Do you care to look at some photographs, Mr. Lovborg? You know Tesman and I made a tour in the Tyrol on our way home?

[She takes up an alb.u.m, and places it on the table beside the sofa, in the further corner of which she seats herself. EILERT LOVBORG approaches, stops, and looks at her. Then he takes a chair and seats himself to her left.

HEDDA.

[Opening the alb.u.m.] Do you see this range of mountains, Mr. Lovborg? It's the Ortler group. Tesman has written the name underneath. Here it is: "The Ortler group near Meran."

LOVBORG.

[Who has never taken his eyes off her, says softly and slowly:] Hedda-Gabler!

HEDDA.

[Glancing hastily at him.] Ah! Hush!

LOVBORG.

[Repeats softly.] Hedda Gabler!

HEDDA.

[Looking at the alb.u.m.] That was my name in the old days-when we two knew each other.

LOVBORG.

And I must teach myself never to say Hedda Gabler again-never, as long as I live.

HEDDA.

[Still turning over the pages.] Yes, you must. And I think you ought to practise in time. The sooner the better, I should say.

LOVBORG.

[In a tone of indignation.] Hedda Gabler married? And married to- George Tesman!

HEDDA.

Yes-so the world goes.

LOVBORG.

Oh, Hedda, Hedda-how could you(9) throw yourself away!

HEDDA.

[Looks sharply at him.] What? I can't allow this!

LOVBORG.

What do you mean?

[TESMAN comes into the room and goes towards the sofa.

HEDDA.

[Hears him coming and says in an indifferent tone.] And this is a view from the Val d'Ampezzo, Mr. Lovborg. Just look at these peaks! [Looks affectionately up at TESMAN.] What's the name of these curious peaks, dear?

TESMAN.

Let me see. Oh, those are the Dolomites.

HEDDA.

Yes, that's it!-Those are the Dolomites, Mr. Lovborg.

TESMAN.

Hedda, dear,-I only wanted to ask whether I shouldn't bring you a little punch after all? For yourself at any rate-eh?

HEDDA.

Yes, do, please; and perhaps a few biscuits.

TESMAN.

No cigarettes?

HEDDA.

No.

TESMAN.

Very well.

[He goes into the inner room and out to the right. BRACK sits in the inner room, and keeps an eye from time to time on HEDDA and LOVBORG.

LOVBORG.

[Softly, as before.] Answer me, Hedda-how could you go and do this?

HEDDA.

[Apparently absorbed in the alb.u.m.] If you continue to say du to me I won't talk to you.

LOVBORG.

May I not say du even when we are alone?

HEDDA.

No. You may think it; but you mustn't say it.

LOVBORG.

Ah, I understand. It is an offence against George Tesman, whom you(10)-love.

HEDDA.

[Glances at him and smiles.] Love? What an idea!

LOVBORG.

You don't love him then!

HEDDA.

But I won't hear of any sort of unfaithfulness! Remember that.

LOVBORG.

Hedda-answer me one thing- HEDDA.

Hush! [TESMAN enters with a small tray from the inner room.

TESMAN.

Here you are! Isn't this tempting? [He puts the tray on the table.

HEDDA.

Why do you bring it yourself?

TESMAN.

[Filling the gla.s.ses.] Because I think it's such fun to wait upon you, Hedda.

HEDDA.

But you have poured out two gla.s.ses. Mr. Lovborg said he wouldn't have any- TESMAN.

No, but Mrs. Elvsted will soon be here, won't she?

HEDDA.