[_Modestly._] No; I shall only triumph over you in the popular judgment--that's all!

GEORGE.

Oh, is that all? Fancy! Let us go into the back drawing-room and drink cold punch.

LoVBORG.

Thanks--but I am a reformed character, and have renounced cold punch--it is poison.

[GEORGE _and_ BRACK _go into the back-room and drink punch, whilst_ HEDDA _shows_ LoVBORG _a photograph alb.u.m in the front._

LoVBORG.

[_Slowly, in a low tone._] Hedda Gabler! how _could_ you throw yourself away like this!--Oh, is _that_ the Ortler Group? Beautiful!----Have you forgotten how we used to sit on the settee together behind an ill.u.s.trated paper, and--yes, very picturesque peaks--I told you all about how I had been on the loose?

HEDDA.

Now, none of that here! These are the Dolomites.--Yes, I remember; it was a beautiful fascinating Norwegian intimacy--but it's over now. See, we spent a night in that little mountain village, Tesman and I.

LoVBORG.

Did you, indeed? Do you remember that delicious moment when you threatened to shoot me down? [_Tenderly._] I do!

HEDDA.

[_Carelessly._] Did I! I have done that to so many people. But now all that is past, and you have found the loveliest consolation in dear, good, little Mrs. Elvsted--ah, here she is! [_Enter_ MRS. ELVSTED.] Now, Thea, sit down and drink up a good gla.s.s of cold punch. Mr. Lovborg is going to have some. If you don't, Mr. Lovborg, George and the Judge will think you are afraid of taking too much if you once begin.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, please, Hedda! When I've inspired Mr. Lovborg so--good gracious!

_don't_ make him drink cold punch!

HEDDA.

You see, Mr. Lovborg, our dear little friend can't trust you!

LoVBORG.

So _that_ is my comrade's faith in me! [_Gloomily._] _I'll_ show her if I am to be trusted or not. [_He drinks a gla.s.s of punch._] Now I'll go to the Judge's party. I'll have another gla.s.s first. Your health, Thea!

So you came up to spy on me, eh? I'll drink the Sheriff's health--_everybody's_ health!

[_He tries to get more punch._

HEDDA.

[_Stopping him._] No more now. You are going to a party, remember.

[GEORGE _and_ TESMAN _come in from back-room._

LoVBORG.

Don't be angry, Thea. I was fallen for a moment. Now I'm up again!

[MRS. ELVSTED _beams with delight._] Judge, I'll come to your party, as you _are_ so pressing, and I'll read George my ma.n.u.script all the evening. I'll do all in _my_ power to make that party go!

GEORGE.

No? fancy! that _will_ be amusing!

HEDDA.

There, go away, you wild rollicking creatures! But Mr. Lovborg must be back at ten, to take dear Thea home!

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, goodness, yes! [_In concealed agony._] Mr. Lovborg, I shan't go away till you do!

[_The three men go out laughing merrily; the Act-drop is lowered for a minute; when it is raised, it is 7_ A.M., _and_ MRS. ELVSTED _and_ HEDDA _are discovered sitting up, with rugs around them._

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Wearily._] Seven in the morning, and Mr. Lovborg not here to take me home _yet_! what can he be doing?

HEDDA.

[_Yawning._] Reading to Tesman, with vine-leaves in his hair, I suppose.

Perhaps he has got to the third part.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, do you _really_ think so, Hedda. Oh, if I could but hope he was doing that!

HEDDA.

You silly little ninny! I should like to scorch your hair off. Go to bed!

[MRS. ELVSTED _goes_.

[_Enter_ GEORGE.

GEORGE.

I'm a little late, eh? But we made _such_ a night of it. Fancy! It was most amusing. Ejlert read his book to me--think of that! Astonishing book! Oh, we really had great fun! I wish _I'd_ written it. Pity he's so irreclaimable.

HEDDA.

I suppose you mean he has more of the courage of life than most people?

GEORGE.