a suppressed shriek.] Ow!

LOVBORG.

[To BRACK.] You were good enough to invite me.

JUDGE BRACK.

Well, are you coming after all?

LOVBORG.

Yes, many thanks.

BRACK.

I'm delighted--

LOVBORG.

[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.

LOVBORG.

[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 every you please.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[Trying to conceal her anxiety.] Well then, Mr. Lovborg--I shall remain
here until you come.

LOVBORG.

[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, good-bye, good-bye, ladies.

LOVBORG.

[Bowing.] About ten o'clock, then,

[BRACK, LOVBORG, 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 he may.

HEDDA.

And then, you see--then he will have regained control over himself. Then
he will be a free man for all his days.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh God!--if he would only come as you see him now!

HEDDA.

He will come as I see him--so, and not otherwise! [Rises and approaches
THEA.] You may doubt him as long as you ple