Christensen. You here?--How ill you look, my boy! Where have you been?
Alfred. I came here at the same time as you did, and have heard everything. Let me tell you this at once, that if you take another step against the Riis"s, I shall go round and tell every one the reason why Miss Riis threw me over. I shall tell them exactly what it was. Oh, it is no use looking at me with that mocking expression! I shall do it--and at once, too.
Christensen. I think you may spare yourself the trouble. The gossip about a broken engagement will get all over the town quicker than you could spread it.
Nordan (going up to ALFRED). One word, my boy--do you still love her?
Alfred. Do you ask that because she has been unjust to me? Well, now I know quite well what led to it--and inevitably led to it. I understand now!
Christensen. And forgive her? Without anything more?
Alfred. I love her more than ever--whatever she thinks of me!
Christensen. Well, upon my word! What next, I should like to know? You claim your right to resume the role of lover, and leave us and other honest folk to put the best face we can on the muddle you have made!
I suppose you are going across the road now to tell her how much you enjoyed yourself yesterday?--or to ask for a respite till to-morrow, to give you time to pa.s.s decently through a process of purification? May I ask where you are going to find it and what it is going to consist of?
Oh, don"t look so melodramatic! If you can put up with what you got from Riis"s girl yesterday and her mother to-day, surely you can put up with a little angry talk or a little chaff from your father. I have had to put up with the whole affair--the betrothal and the breaking it off as well! And then to be sprinkled with essence of morality into the bargain! Good Lord! I hope at least I shall not smell of it still when I get to the palace. (Goes towards the house, but turns back at the door.) You will find same money in the office to pay for a trip abroad. (Exit.)
Nordan. Does that mean banishment?
Alfred. Of course it does. (Appears very much agitated.)
Mrs. Riis. Doctor, you must come over to our house with me--and at once!
Nordan. How is she?
Mrs. Riis. I don"t know.
Nordan. You don"t know?
Mrs. Riis. She wanted to be alone yesterday. And to-day she went out early.
Nordan. Has anything happened, then?
Mrs. Riis. Yes. You told me yesterday that you had given her a hint about--her father.
Nordan. Well?
Mrs. Riis. And so I felt that it could not be concealed any longer.
Nordan. And you have--?
Mrs. Riis. I have written to her.
Nordan. Written?
Mrs. Riis. It seemed the easiest way--and we should escape talking about it. All yesterday afternoon and last night I was writing, and tearing it up, and writing again--writing--writing! It was not a long letter, when all was done, but it took it out of me.
Nordan. And has she had the letter?
Mrs. Riis. When she had had her breakfast this morning and gone out, I sent it after her. And now, my dear friend, I want to beg you to go and have a talk with her--then you can let me know when I may go to her.
Because I am frightened! (Hides her face in her hands.)
Nordan. The moment you came I saw something serious had happened. You argued so vehemently, too. Well, matters have developed, and no mistake!
Mrs. Riis. You mustn"t go away, doctor! Don"t go away from her now!
Nordan. Oh, that is it, is it?--Thomas!
[Enter THOMAS.]
Thomas. Yes, sir.
Nordan. You need not pack my things.
Thomas. Not pack, sir?--Very good, sir. (Gives the doctor his stick and goes to open the house door for them.)
Nordan. Allow me, Mrs. Riis. (Offers her his arm.)
Alfred (coming forward). Mrs. Riis! May I speak to her?
Mrs. Riis. Speak to her? No, that is impossible.
Nordan. You heard, my boy, what she has to think about to-day.
Mrs. Riis. And if she would not speak to you before, it is not likely she will now.
Alfred. If she should ask to speak to me, will you tell her I am here? I shall stay here till she does.
Mrs. Riis. But what is the use of that?
Alfred. Well, that will be our affair. I know she wants to speak to me, just as much as I do to her. Only tell her I am here! That is all I ask.
(Goes away into the farther part of the garden.)
Nordan. He does not know what he is talking about.
Mrs. Riis. Dear Dr. Nordan, let us go! I am so frightened.
Nordan. Not more than I am, I think.--So she knows it now, does she!
(They go out.)
SCENE II
(SCENE.--The same as in Acts I. and II. SVAVA comes into the room slowly and looks round; then goes to the door and looks round outside the house, then comes in again. As she turns back, she sees NORDAN standing in the doorway.)
Svava. You!--Oh, Uncle Nordan! (Sobs.)
Nordan. My child! My dear child! Calm yourself!