FALK.

You've had to wince Beneath a crushing load of obligations That you'd send packing, if good form permitted.

That's what's the matter.

STIVER.

Monstrous accusations!

My legal debts I've honestly acquitted; But other bonds next month are falling due; [To GULDSTAD.

When a man weds, you see, he gets a wife--

FALK [triumphant].

Now your youth's heaven once again is blue; There rang an echo from your old song-life!

That's how it is: I read you thro' and thro'; Wings, wings were all you wanted,--and a knife!

STIVER.

A knife?

FALK.

Yes, Resolution's knife, to sever Each captive bond, and set you free for ever, To soar--

STIVER [angrily].

Nay, now you're insolent beyond Endurance! Me to charge with violation Of law,--me, me with plotting to abscond!

It's libellous, malicious defamation, Insult and calumny--

FALK.

Are you insane?

What is all this about? Explain! Explain!

GULDSTAD [laughingly to STIVER].

Yes, clear your mind of all this balderdash!

What do you want?

STIVER [pulling himself together].

A trifling loan in cash.

FALK.

A loan!

STIVER [hurriedly to GULDSTAD].

That is, I mean to say, you know, A voucher for a ten pound note, or so.

MISS JAY [to LIND and ANNA].

I wish you joy! How lovely, how delicious!

GULDSTAD [going up to the ladies].

Pray what has happened?

[To himself.] This was unpropitious.

FALK [throws his arms about STIVER's neck].

Hurrah! the trumpet's dulcet notes proclaim A brother born to you in Amor's name!

[Drags him to the others.

MISS JAY [to the gentlemen].

Think! Lind and Anna--think!--have plighted hearts, Affianced lovers!

MRS. HALM [with tears of emotion].

'Tis the eighth in order Who well-provided from this house departs; [To FALK.

Seven nieces wedded-always with a boarder-- [Is overcome; presses her handkerchief to her eyes.

MISS JAY [to ANNA].

Well, there will come a flood of gratulation!

[Caresses her with emotion.

LIND [seizing FALK's hand].

My friend, I walk in rapt intoxication!

FALK.

Hold! As a plighted man you are a member Of Rapture's Temperance-a.s.sociation.

Observe it's rules;--no orgies here, remember!

[Turning to GULDSTAD sympathetically.

Well, my good sir!

GULDSTAD [beaming with pleasure].

I think this promises All happiness for both.

FALK [staring at him].

You seem to stand The shock with exemplary self-command.

That's well.

GULDSTAD.

What do you mean, sir?

FALK.

Only this; That inasmuch as you appeared to feed Fond expectations of your own--

GULDSTAD.

Indeed?

FALK.

At any rate, you were upon the scent.

You named Miss Halm; you stood upon this spot And asked me--

GULDSTAD [smiling].

There are two, though, are there not?

FALK.

It was--the other sister that you meant?

GULDSTAD.

That sister, yes, the other one,--just so.

Judge for yourself, when you have come to know That sister better, if she has not in her Merits which, if they were divined, would win her A little more regard than we bestow.