Hagbart. Only—what?
Grandmother. While your uncle was with me, Mrs.
Falk was announced.
Hagbart. Mrs. Falk? Has she been here?
Just now?
Grandmother. Yes, just now.
Hagbart. Then something must have happened!
Perhaps it was she that uncle—. (Rushes to
the door, which opens, and the bishop comes in
with Aagot on his arm, followed by Cornelia.)
Aagot!
Aagot. Hagbart!— (Anxiously.) Is aunt
not here!
Cornelia. What, grandmother here! (Goes to her.)
Bishop. My dear Aagot, your aunt entrusted this
letter to me to give to you.
Hagbart. A letter—?
Grandmother. What is the matter? Let me
see! (Cornelia moves her chair nearer to the
others.)
Hagbart. Read it aloud, Aagot!
Aagot (reads). “My darling. When you
receive this letter I shall have—gone away.
I love the man you—.” (With a cry, she
falls swooning. The bishop catches her in
his arms.)
Grandmother. She has gone away?
Cornelia. She loves the man you—?
Good God, look at Hagbart!
Bishop. Cornelia! (She goes to him, and they
lay Aagot on the couch. Cornelia stays
beside her. The bishop turns to Hagbart.)
Hagbart! (Hagbart throws himself into his arms.)
Courage! Courage, my boy!
Grandmother (getting up). It is like going back
to the days of great emotions!
[The Curtain falls slowly.]
A PLAY IN THREE ACTS
Riis.
Mrs. Riis.
Svava, their daughter.
Margit, their maid.
Christensen.
Mrs. Christensen.
Alfred, their son, betrothed to Svava.
Dr. Nordan.
Thomas, his servant.
Hoff.
The action of the play passes in Christiania.
(Scene.—A room in Riis’
house. An open door at the back leads into a
park and gives a glimpse of the sea beyond. Windows
on each side of the door. Doors also in the right
and left walls. Beyond the door on the right
is a piano; opposite to the piano a cupboard.
In the foreground, to the right and left, two couches
with small tables in front of them. Easy-chairs
and smaller hairs scattered about. Mrs.
Riis is sitting on the couch to the left, and
Dr. Nordan in a chair in the centre of the
room. He is wearing a straw hat pushed on to
the back of his head, and has a large handkerchief
spread over his knees. He is sitting with his
arms folded, leaning upon his stick.)
Mrs. Riis. A penny for your thoughts!
Nordan. What was it you were asking me about?
