Ten minutes and I go.

GULDSTAD.

Sufficient for my purpose.

SVANHILD [going].

Farewell.

GULDSTAD.

No, Remain.

SVANHILD.

Shall I?

GULDSTAD.

Until you've answered me.

It's time we squared accounts. It's time we three Talked out for once together from the heart.

FALK [taken aback].

We three?

GULDSTAD.

Yes,--all disguises flung apart.

FALK [suppressing a smile].

O, at your service.

GULDSTAD.

Very good, then hear.

We've been acquainted now for half a year; We've wrangled--

FALK.

Yes.

GULDSTAD.

We've been in constant feud; We've changed hard blows enough. You fought--alone-- For a sublime ideal; I as one Among the money-grubbing mult.i.tude.

And yet it seemed as if a chord united Us two, as if a thousand thoughts that lay Deep in my own youth's memory benighted Had started at your bidding into day.

Yes, I amaze you. But this hair grey-sprinkled Once fluttered brown in spring-time, and this brow, Which daily occupation moistens now With sweat of labour, was not always wrinkled.

Enough; I am a man of business, hence--

FALK [with gentle sarcasm].

You are the type of practical good sense.

GULDSTAD.

And you are hope's own singer young and fain.

[Stepping between them.

Just therefore, Falk and Svanhild, I am here.

Now let us talk, then; for the hour is near Which brings good hap or sorrow in its train.

FALK [in suspense].

Speak, then!

GULDSTAD [smiling].

My ground is, as I said last night, A kind of poetry--

FALK.

In practice.

GULDSTAD.

Right!

FALK.

And if one asked the source from which you drew--?

GULDSTAD [Glancing a moment at SVANHILD, and then turning again to FALK.

A common source discovered by us two.

SVANHILD.

Now I must go.

GULDSTAD.

No, wait till I conclude.

I should not ask so much of others. You, Svanhild, I've learnt to fathom thro' and thro'; You are too sensible to play the prude.

I watched expand, unfold, your little life; A perfect woman I divined within you, But long I only saw a daughter in you;-- Now I ask of you--will you be my wife?

[SVANHILD draws back in embarra.s.sment.

FALK [seizing his arm].

Hold!

GULDSTAD.

Patience; she must answer. Put your own Question;--then her decision will be free.

FALK.

I--do you say?

GULDSTAD [looking steadily at him].

The happiness of three Lives is at stake to-day,--not mine alone.

Don't fancy it concerns you less than me; For tho' base matter is my chosen sphere, Yet nature made me something of a seer.

Yes, Falk, you love her. Gladly, I confess, I saw your young love bursting into flower.

But this young pa.s.sion, with its lawless power, May be the ruin of her happiness.

FALK [firing up].

You have the face to say so?

GULDSTAD [quietly].

Years give right.

Say now you won her--

FALK [defiantly].

And what then?