ing 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 LOVBORG 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 LOVBORG.] Not you?

LOVBORG.

No.

HEDDA.

Mr. Lovborg 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. LOVBORG re-seats himself on his chair.

LOVBORG.

[After a short pause, to HEDDA.] Is not she lovely to look at?

HEDDA.

[Lightly stroking her hair.] Only to look at!

LOVBORG.

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 round about, Mr. Lovborg?

LOVBORG.

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?

LOVBORG.

And then she is so brave, Mrs. Tesman!

MRS. ELVSTED.

Good heavens--am I brave?

LOVBORG.

Exceedingly--where your comrade is concerned.

HEDDA.

Exceedingly--where your comrade is concerned.

HEDDA.

Ah, yes--courage! If one only had that!

LOVBORG.

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. Lovborg.

LOVBORG.

Nor I, thank you.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, he doesn't either.

HEDDA.

[Looks fixedly at