Love's Comedy Part 37

[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].