Hedda Gabler

daring⁠—in⁠—in that secret intimacy⁠—that comradeship which no living creature so much as dreamed of. Lövborg Yes, yes, Hedda! Was there not?⁠—When I used to come to your father’s in the afternoon⁠—and the General sat over at the window reading his papers⁠—with his back towards us⁠— Hedda And we two on the corner sofa⁠— Lövborg Always with the same illustrated paper before us⁠— Hedda For want of an album, yes. Lövborg Yes, Hedda, and when I made my confessions to you⁠—told you about myself, things that at that time no one else knew! There I would sit and tell you of my escapades⁠—my days and nights of devilment. Oh, Hedda⁠—what was the power in you that forced me to confess these things? Hedda Do you think it was any power in me? Lövborg How else can I explain it? And all those⁠—those roundabout questions you used to put to me⁠— Hedda Which you understood so particularly well⁠— Lövborg How could you sit and question me like that? Question me quite frankly⁠— Hedda In roundabout terms, please observe. Lövborg Yes, but frankly nevertheless. Cross question me about⁠—all that sort of thing? Hedda And how could you answer, Mr. Lövborg? Lövborg Yes, that is just what I can’t understand⁠—in looking back upon it. But tell me now, Hedda⁠—was there not love at the bottom of our friendship? On your side, did you not feel as though you might purge my stains away⁠—if I made you my confessor? Was it not so? Hedda No, not quite. Lövborg What was you motive, then? Hedda Do think it quite incomprehensible that a young girl⁠—when it can be done⁠—without anyone knowing⁠— Lövborg Well? Hedda —should be glad to have a peep, now and then, into a world which⁠—? Lövborg Which⁠—? Hedda —which she is forbidden to know anything about? Lövborg So that was it? Hedda Partly. Partly⁠—I almost think. Lövborg Comradeship in the thirst for life. But why should not that, at any rate, have continued? Hedda The fault was yours. Lövborg It was you that broke with me. Hedda Yes, when our friendship threatened to develop into something more serious. Shame upon you, Eilert Lövborg! How could you think of wronging your⁠—your frank comrade. Lövborg Clenches his hands. Oh, why did you not carry out your threat? Why did you not shoot me down? Hedda Because I have such a dread of scandal. Lövborg Yes, Hedda, you are a coward at heart. Hedda A terrible coward. Changing her tone. But it was a lucky thing for you. And now you have found ample consolation at the Elvsteds’. Lövborg I know what Thea has confided to you. Hedda And perhaps you have confided to her something about us? Lövborg Not a word. She is too stupid to understand anything of that sort. Hedda Stupid? Lövborg She is stupid about matters of that sort. Hedda And I am cowardly. Bends over towards him, without looking him in the face, and says more softly: But now I will confide something to you. Lövborg Eagerly. Well? Hedda The fact that I dared not shoot you down⁠— Lövborg Yes! Hedda —that was not my arrant cowardice⁠—that evening. Lövborg Looks at her a moment, understands, and whispers passionately. Oh, Hedda! Hedda Gabler! Now I begin to see a hidden reason beneath our comradeship! You18 and I⁠—! After all, then, it was your craving for life⁠— Hedda Softly, with a sharp glance. Take care! Believe nothing of the sort! Twilight has begun to fall. The hall door is opened from without by Berta. Hedda Closes the album with a bang and calls smilingly: Ah, at last! My darling Thea⁠—come along! Mrs. Elvsted enters from the hall. She is in evening dress. The door is closed behind her. Hedda On the sofa, stretches out her arms towards her. My sweet Thea⁠—you can’t think how I have been longing for you! Mrs. Elvsted, in passing, exchanges slight salutations with the gentlemen in the inner room, then goes up to the table and gives Hedda her hand. Eilert Lövborg has risen. He and Mrs. Elvsted greet each other with a silent nod. Mrs. Elvsted Ought I to go in and talk to your husband for a moment? Hedda Oh, not at all. Leave those two alone. They will soon be going. Mrs. Elvsted Are they going out? Hedda Yes, to a supper party. Mrs. Elvsted Quickly, to Lövborg. Not you? Lövborg No. Hedda Mr. Lövborg remains with us. Mrs. Elvsted Takes a chair and is about to seat herself at his side. Oh, how nice it is here! Hedda No, thank you, my little Thea! Not there! You’ll be good enough to come over here to me. I will sit between you. Mrs. Elvsted Yes, just as you please. She goes round the table and seats herself on the sofa on Hedda’s right. Lövborg reseats himself on his chair. Lövborg After a short pause, to Hedda. Is not she lovely to look at? Hedda Lightly stroking her hair. Only to look at! Lövborg Yes. For we two⁠—she and I⁠—we are two real comrades. We have absolute faith in each other; so we can sit and talk with perfect frankness⁠— Hedda Not roundabout, Mr. Lövborg? Lövborg Well⁠— Mrs. Elvsted Softly clinging close to Hedda. Oh, how happy I am, Hedda! For only think, he says I have inspired him too. Hedda Looks at her with a smile. Ah! Does he say that, dear? Lövborg And then she is so brave, Mrs. Tesman! Mrs. Elvsted Good heavens⁠—am I brave? Lövborg Exceedingly⁠—where your comrade is concerned. Hedda Ah, yes⁠—courage! If one only had that! Lövborg What then? What do you mean? Hedda Then life would perhaps be liveable, after all. With a sudden change of tone. But now, my dearest Thea, you really must have a glass of cold punch. Mrs. Elvsted No, thanks⁠—I never take anything of that kind. Hedda Well then, you, Mr. Lövborg. Lövborg Nor I, thank you. Mrs. Elvsted No, he doesn’t either. Hedda Looks fixedly at him. But if I say you shall? Lövborg It would be of no use. Hedda Laughing. Then I, poor creature, have no sort of power over you? Lövborg Not in that respect. Hedda But seriously, I think you ought to⁠—for your own sake. Mrs. Elvsted Why, Hedda⁠—! Lövborg How so? Hedda Or rather on account of other people. Lövborg Indeed? Hedda Otherwise people might be apt