EILERT LOVBORG, with his greatcoat on and his hat in his hand, tears open the hall door. He looks somewhat confused and irritated.
LOVBORG.
[Looking towards the hall.] and I tell you I must and will come in! There!
[He closes the door, turns, sees HEDDA, at once regains his self- control, and bows.
HEDDA.
[At the writing-table.] Well, Mr Lovborg, this is rather a late hour to call for Thea.
LOVBORG.
You mean rather an early hour to call on you. Pray pardon me.
HEDDA.
How do you know that she is still here?
LOVBORG.
They told me at her lodgings that she had been out all night.
HEDDA.
[Going to the oval table.] Did you notice anything about the people of the house when they said that?
LOVBORG.
[Looks inquiringly at her.] Notice anything about them?
HEDDA.
I mean, did they seem to think it odd?
LOVBORG.
[Suddenly understanding.] Oh yes, of course! I am dragging her down with me! However, I didn"t notice anything.-I suppose Tesman is not up yet.
HEDDA.
No-I think not- LOVBORG.
When did he come home?
HEDDA.
Very late.
LOVBORG.
Did he tell you anything?
HEDDA.
Yes, I gathered that you had had an exceedingly jolly evening at Judge Brack"s.
LOVBORG.
Nothing more?
HEDDA.
I don"t think so. However, I was so dreadfully sleepy- MRS. ELVSTED enters through the curtains of the middle doorway.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Going towards him.] Ah, Lovborg! At last-!
LOVBORG.
Yes, at last. And too late!
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Looks anxiously at him.] What is too late?
LOVBORG.
Everything is too late now. It is all over with me.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Oh no, no-don"t say that!
LOVBORG.
You will say the same when you hear- MRS. ELVSTED.
I won"t hear anything!
HEDDA.
Perhaps you would prefer to talk to her alone? If so, I will leave you.
LOVBORG.
No, stay-you too. I beg you to stay.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, but I won"t hear anything, I tell you.
LOVBORG.
It is not last night"s adventures that I want to talk about.
MRS. ELVSTED.
What is it then-?
LOVBORG.
I want to say that now our ways must part.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Part!
HEDDA.
[Involuntarily.] I knew it!
LOVBORG.
You can be of no more service to me, Thea.
MRS. ELVSTED.
How can you stand there and say that! No more service to you! Am I not to help you now, as before? Are we not to go on working together?
LOVBORG.
Henceforward I shall do no work.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Despairingly.] Then what am I to do with my life?
LOVBORG.
You must try to live your life as if you had never know me.
MRS. ELVSTED.
But you know I cannot do that!
LOVBORG.
Try if you cannot, Thea. You must go home again- MRS. ELVSTED.
[In vehement protest.] Never in this world! Where you are, there will I be also! I will not let myself be driven away like this! I will remain here! I will be with you when the book appears.
HEDDA.
[Half aloud, in suspense.] Ah yes-the book!
LOVBORG.
[Looks at her.] My book and Thea"s; for that is what it is.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, I feel that it is. And that is why I have a right to be with you when it appears! I will see with my own eyes how respect and honour pour in upon you afresh. And the happiness-the happiness-oh, I must share it with you!
LOVBORG.
Thea-our book will never appear.
HEDDA.
Ah!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Never appear!
LOVBORG.
Can never appear.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[In agonised foreboding.] Lovborg-what have you done with the ma.n.u.script?
HEDDA.
[Looks anxiously at him.] Yes, the ma.n.u.script-?
MRS. ELVSTED.
Where is it?
LOVBORG.
The ma.n.u.script-. Well then-I have torn the ma.n.u.script into a thousand pieces.
MRS. ELVSTED.