[Goes to the table.] Thanks.

HILDA.

[Puts her hand on the portfolio.] No, no; leave them here.

SOLNESS.

Why?

HILDA.

Because I want to look at them, too.

SOLNESS.

But you have been---- [To RAGNAR.] Well, leave them here, then.

RAGNAR.

Very well.

SOLNESS.

And go home at once to your father.

RAGNAR.

Yes, I suppose I must.

SOLNESS.

[As if in desperation.] Ragnar--you must not ask me to do what is beyond my power! Do you hear, Ragnar? You must not!

RAGNAR.

No, no. I beg you pardon--

[He bows, and goes out by the corner door. HILDA goes over and sits down on a chair near the mirror.

HILDA.

[Looks angrily at SOLNESS.] That was a very ugly thing to do.

SOLNESS.

Do you think so, too?

HILDA.

Yes, it was horribly ugly--and hard and bad and cruel as well.

SOLNESS.

Oh, you don't understand my position.

HILDA.

No matter--. I say you ought not to be like that.

SOLNESS.

You said yourself, only just now, that no one but _I_ ought to be allowed to build.

HILDA.

_I_ may say such things--but you must not.

SOLNESS.

I most of all, surely, who have paid so dear for my position.

HILDA.

Oh yes--with what you call domestic comfort--and that sort of thing.

SOLNESS.

And with my peace of soul into the bargain.