[MRS. HALM, LIND, ANNA, GULDSTAD, and MISS JAY, with the other guests, come out. All eyes are turned upon FALK and SVANHILD. General amazement when they are seen standing apart.
MISS JAY [among the AUNTS, clasping her hands].
What! Am I awake or dreaming, pray?
LIND [who has noticed nothing].
I have a brother"s compliments to pay.
[He, with the other guests, approaches FALK, but starts involuntarily and steps back on looking at him.
What is the matter with you? You"re a Ja.n.u.s With double face!
FALK [smiling].
I cry, like old Monta.n.u.s,(6) The earth is flat, Messieurs;--by optics lied; Flat as a pancake--are you satisfied?
[Goes quickly out to the right.
MISS JAY.
Refused!
THE AUNTS.
Refused!
MRS. HALM.
Hush, ladies, if you please!
[Goes across to SVANHILD.
MRS. STRAWMAN [to STRAWMAN].
Fancy, refused!
STRAWMAN.
It cannot be!
MISS JAY.
It is!
THE LADIES [from mouth to mouth].
Refused! Refused! Refused!
[They gather in little groups about the garden.
STIVER [dumfounded].
He courting? How?
STRAWMAN.
Yes, think! He laugh"d at us, ha, ha--but now--
[They gaze at each other speechless.
ANNA [to LIND].
That"s good! He was too horrid, to be sure!
LIND [embracing her].
Hurrah, now thou art mine, entire and whole.
[They go outside into the garden.
GULDSTAD [looking back towards SVANHILD].
Something is shattered in a certain soul; But what is yet alive in it I"ll cure.
STRAWMAN [recovering himself and embracing STIVER].
Now then, you can be very well contented To have your dear _fiancee_ for a spouse.
STIVER.
And you complacently can see your house With little Strawmans every year augmented.
STRAWMAN [Rubbing his hands with satisfaction and looking after FALK].
Insolent fellow! Well, it served him right;-- Would all these knowing knaves were in his plight!
[They go across in conversation; MRS. HALM approaches with SVANHILD.
MRS. HALM [aside eagerly].
And nothing binds you?
SVANHILD.
Nothing.
MRS. HALM.
Good, you know A daughter"s duty--
SVANHILD.
Guide me, I obey.
MRS. HALM.
Thanks, child. [Pointing to GULDSTAD.
He is rich and _comme il faut Parti_; and since there"s nothing in the way--
SVANHILD.
Yes, there is one condition I require!-- To leave this place.
MRS. HALM.
Precisely his desire.
SVANHILD.
And time--
MRS. HALM.
How long? Bethink you, fortune"s calling!
SVANHILD [with a quiet smile].