arge 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.)

Bishop. My dear Hagbart, you keep on telling me that you have acted up
to your convictions. Very well, do you want to forbid my acting up to
mine?

Hagbart. You know that all I ask, uncle, is that you will see her and
talk to her first.

Bishop. But if that is exactly what I don't wish to do? You have made
things difficult for us, you know, by choosing a wife out of your own
class--although at the same time we have grown fonder of her every day,
and are ready to do anything for _her_. But farther than that we cannot
go. Do you want to read my letter?

Hagbart. No.

Bishop. I think you should. It is quite a polite letter.

Hagbart. I know you can put things politely enough. But it is the fact,
uncle--the fact of your doing it!

Bishop. Yes--I cannot alter that.

Hagbart. Could you not at all events postpone sending the letter?

Bishop. It is sent.

Hagbart. Sent?

Bishop. This morning. Yes. So there is nothing more to be done.

Hagbart. Uncle, you are cruel!

Bishop. How can you say that, Hagbart? I have acquiesced in your giving
up your clerical career--and Heaven alone knows what a grief that is to
me. (Gets up.) But I will not acquiesce in your bringing into my house
a woman who does not even bear her husband's name. Do we as much as know
who her husband was? She was both married and divorced abroad. And
we don't know anything more about her life since then; it is scarcely
likely it has been blameless. Since she came here she has never once
been to church. She has led a most eccentric life, and lately has been
allowing a man of very evil reputation to visit her.

Hagbart. General Rosen?

Bishop. Yes, General Rosen. He is next door to a drunkard. And he is a
dissolute fellow in other ways, too.

Hagbart. He goes everywhere, all the same. He even comes here.

Bishop. Well, you see, he distinguished himself on military service; he
has many sociable qualities, and he is well connected. It is the way of
the world.

Hagbart. But Mrs. Falk is not to be received?

Bishop. She is a woman.

Hagbart. How long will this sort of thing be endured?

Bishop. Come, come--are you getting those ideas into your head too? You
seem to have imbibed a lot of new doctrines lately!

Hagb