Hedda Gabler

to suspect that⁠—in your heart of hearts⁠—you did not feel quite secure⁠—quite confident in yourself. Mrs. Elvsted Softly. Oh please, Hedda⁠—! Lövborg People may suspect what they like⁠—for the present. Mrs. Elvsted Joyfully. Yes, let them! Hedda I saw it plainly in Judge Brack’s face a moment ago. Lövborg What did you see? Hedda His contemptuous smile, when you dared not go with them into the inner room. Lövborg Dared not? Of course I preferred to stop here and talk to you. Mrs. Elvsted What could be more natural, Hedda? Hedda But the Judge could not guess that. And I say, too, the way he smiled and glanced at Tesman when you dared not accept his invitation to this wretched little supper party of his. Lövborg Dared not! Do you say I dared not? Hedda I don’t say so. But that was how Judge Brack understood it. Lövborg Well, let him. Hedda Then you are not going with them? Lövborg I will stay here with you and Thea. Mrs. Elvsted Yes, Hedda⁠—how can you doubt that? Hedda Smiles and nods approvingly to Lövborg. Firm as a rock! Faithful to your principles, now and forever! Ah, that is how a man should be! Turns to Mrs. Elvsted and caresses her. Well now, what did I tell you, when you came to us this morning in such a state of distraction⁠— Lövborg Surprised. Distraction! Mrs. Elvsted Terrified. Hedda⁠—oh Hedda⁠—! Hedda You can see for yourself! You haven’t the slightest reason to be in such mortal terror⁠—Interrupting herself. There! Now we can all three enjoy ourselves! Lövborg Who has given a start. Ah⁠—what is all this, Mrs. Tesman? Mrs. Elvsted Oh my God, Hedda! What are you saying? What are you doing? Hedda Don’t get excited! That horrid Judge Brack is sitting watching you. Lövborg So she was in mortal terror! On my account! Mrs. Elvsted Softly and piteously. Oh, Hedda⁠—now you have ruined everything! Lövborg Looks fixedly at her for a moment. His face is distorted. So that was my comrade’s frank confidence in me? Mrs. Elvsted Imploringly. Oh, my dearest friend⁠—only let me tell you⁠— Lövborg Takes one of the glasses of punch, raises it to his lips, and says in a low, husky voice. Your health, Thea! He empties the glass, puts it down, and takes the second. Mrs. Elvsted Softly. Oh, Hedda, Hedda⁠—how could you do this? Hedda I do it? I? Are you crazy? Lövborg Here’s to your health too, Mrs. Tesman. Thanks for the truth. Hurrah for the truth! He empties the glass and is about to refill it. Hedda Lays her hand on his arm. Come, come⁠—no more for the present. Remember you are going out to supper. Mrs. Elvsted No, no, no! Hedda Hush! They are sitting watching you. Lövborg Putting down the glass. Now, Thea⁠—tell me the truth⁠— Mrs. Elvsted Yes. Lövborg Did your husband know that you had come after me? Mrs. Elvsted Wringing her hands. Oh, Hedda⁠—do you hear what his is asking? Lövborg Was it arranged between you and him that you were to come to town and look after me? Perhaps it was the Sheriff himself that urged you to come? Aha, my dear⁠—no doubt he wanted my help in his office! Or was it at the card table that he missed me? Mrs. Elvsted Softly, in agony. Oh, Lövborg, Lövborg⁠—! Lövborg Seizes a glass and is on the point of filling it. Here’s a glass for the old Sheriff too! Hedda Preventing him. No more just now. Remember, you have to read your manuscript to Tesman. Lövborg Calmly, putting down the glass. It was stupid of me all this. Thea⁠—to take it in this way, I mean. Don’t be angry with me, my dear, dear comrade. You shall see⁠—both you and the others⁠—that if I was fallen once⁠—now I have risen again! Thanks to you, Thea. Mrs. Elvsted Radiant with joy. Oh, heaven be praised⁠—! Brack has in the meantime looked at his watch. He and Tesman rise and come into the drawing room. Brack Takes his hat and overcoat. Well, Mrs. Tesman, our time has come. Hedda I suppose it has. Lövborg Rising. Mine too, Judge Brack. Mrs. Elvsted Softly and imploringly. Oh, Lövborg, don’t do it! Hedda Pinching her arm. They can hear you! Mrs. Elvsted With a suppressed shriek. Ow! Lövborg To Brack. You were good enough to invite me. Judge Brack Well, are you coming after all? Lövborg Yes, many thanks. Brack I’m delighted⁠— Lövborg To Tesman, putting the parcel of MS. in his pocket. I should like to show you one or two things before I send it to the printers. Tesman Fancy⁠—that will be delightful. But, Hedda dear, how is Mrs. Elvsted to get home? Eh? Hedda Oh, that can be managed somehow. Lövborg Looking towards the ladies. Mrs. Elvsted? Of course, I’ll come again and fetch her. Approaching. At ten or thereabouts, Mrs. Tesman? Will that do? Hedda Certainly. That will do capitally. Tesman Well, then, that’s all right. But you must not expect me so early, Hedda. Hedda Oh, you may stop as long⁠—as long as ever you please. Mrs. Elvsted Trying to conceal her anxiety. Well then, Mr. Lövborg⁠—I shall remain here until you come. Lövborg With his hat in his hand. Pray do, Mrs. Elvsted. Brack And now off goes the excursion train, gentlemen! I hope we shall have a lively time, as a certain fair lady puts it. Hedda Ah, if only the fair lady could be present unseen⁠—! Brack Why unseen? Hedda In order to hear a little of your liveliness at first hand, Judge Brack. Brack Laughing. I should not advise the fair lady to try it. Tesman Also laughing. Come, you’re a nice one Hedda! Fancy that! Brack Well, goodbye, goodbye, ladies. Lövborg Bowing. About ten o’clock, then, Brack, Lövborg, and Tesman go out by the hall door. At the same time, Berta enters from the inner room with a lighted lamp, which she places on the drawing room table; she goes out by the way she came. Mrs. Elvsted Who has risen and is wandering restlessly about the room. Hedda⁠—Hedda⁠—what will come of all this? Hedda At ten o’clock⁠—he will be here. I can see him already⁠—with vine leaves in his hair⁠—flushed and fearless⁠— Mrs. Elvsted Oh, I hope