Leonarda. Stop! I can’t bear to think
of it!—To think it should be the very man
whom we—we—
Aagot. Hated so!—yes, isn’t
it extraordinary?
Leonarda. The very first time you have been away
from me!
Aagot. Yes!
Leonarda. And you come back in a halo of reconciliation
and affection for him!
Aagot. But who is responsible for that, I should
like to know! And you talk about your life here
having made you clumsy and ugly—you, who
can manufacture a goddess of victory like me!
Leonarda. No, I don’t complain when I see
you and hear you— when I have you with
me! That is worth paying a price for. It
was selfish of me to think for a moment that the price
was too high. You are in the springtime of your
life—while I—
Aagot. You? What is wrong with your life?
Leonarda. I am beginning to think my life is
over.
Aagot. Yours? Your life over? Oh, you
pain me by saying such a thing.
Leonarda. I am very happy—very happy
about all this! Believe me that is so. But
you know—
Aagot. I know how tremendously and incomprehensibly
you have changed!
Leonarda. Go, my child—and bring him
back!
Aagot. How delicious that sounds! Bring
him back! (Gets up, then stops.) Thank you, my dear,
sweet, darling aunt! (She runs out. Leonarda
falls into a chair by the table and buries her head
in her hands. Aagot’s voice is heard
without: “Yes, come along!” and Hagbart’s,
answering: “Is it true?”)
Aagot (coming in with Hagbart). Come along!
(Leonarda gets up, dries her eyes, and meets
them with a smile.) Aunt, here he is!
Hagbart. Mrs. Falk!
Leonarda. Forgive me!
Hagbart. What?—No, you must forgive
me! I haven t been able to ask you to! I—
Aagot. We can talk about that another time!
Let aunt look at you now!
Leonarda. You two won’t disappoint one
another. I can see that.
Aagot. It is wonderfully sweet of you, aunt!
Leonarda. Yes, love one another! Bring some
beauty, some warmth, some colour into this cold house!
Aagot. Oh, aunt—!
Leonarda. Have you kissed her yet? (Aagot
moves a little away from Hagbart.) Go on! (They
embrace.)
Aagot (running from him to Leonarda). But,
dearest aunt, are you crying?
Leonarda. Don’t bother about me!—Have
you told your uncle, the bishop, about it?
Hagbart. Not yet.
Leonarda. You haven’t?—Well,
you have the worst of it before you yet, I am afraid.
Hagbart. No; now that I have got as far as this,
nothing shall stand in my way!
Aagot. Do you hear that, aunt?
[Curtain.]
(Scene.—A room in the BISHOP’s
house, some weeks later. A door at the back of
the room leads to another large room. Another
door in the right-hand wall; windows in the left.
Well forward, by one of the windows, a large easy-chair.
Farther back, a writing-desk and chair. On the
right, near the door, a couch, and chairs ranged along
the wall. Chairs also alongside the door at the
back. The Bishop is sitting on the couch, talking
to Hagbart.)
