o old for these scenes. And, after what I have
just heard, I am sure I have no right to sit here either. (CORNELIA
comes in, takes her arm, and assists her out.)

Leonarda (coming forward). Now I can say this to your lordship: you have
no courage. Standing face to face with me here, you know what you ought
to do, but dare not do it.

Bishop. You are a woman--so I will not answer.

Leonarda. It is because I am a woman that you have said things to
me to-day that you would not have said to--to General Rosen, for
instance--a man who is allowed to come to your lordship's house in spite
of his past life, and his present life too.

Bishop. He shall come here no more in future. Beside, you cannot deny
that there is a difference between your two cases.

Leonarda. There is indeed a difference: but I did not expect the
distinction to be made on these lines. Nor did I imagine, my lord, that
your duty was to protect, not the weaker vessel, but the stronger--to
countenance open vice, and refuse help to those who are unjustly
accused!

Bishop. Do you think there is any use in our prolonging this
conversation?

[AAGOT opens the door at the back and calls from the doorway.]

Aagot. Aunt!

Leonarda. Aagot! Good heavens!

Aagot (coming forward). Aunt!

Leonarda. Then you know? (AAGOT throws herself into her arms.) My child!

Aagot. I felt sure you would be here, heaven help me!

Leonarda. Control yourself, my child!

Aagot. No, I cannot. This is too much.

Bishop. Would you ladies rather be alone?

Aagot. Where is Hagbart?

Bishop. He has gone out for a walk.

Aagot. It makes me boil with rage! So this was to be the price of my
being received into your family--that I was to sell the one who has
been a mother to me! Sell her, whom I love and honour more than all the
world!

Bishop. Mrs. Falk, do you wish to continue?--or--

Aagot. Continue what? Your negotiations for the sale of my dear one?
No. And if it were a question of being admitted to heaven without her, I
should refuse!

Bishop. Child! Child!

Aagot. You must let me speak! I must say what is in my heart. And this,
at any rate, is in it--that I hold fast to those I love, with all the
strength that is in my being!

Bishop. You are young, and speak with the exaggeration of youth. But I
think we should do better to put an end to this interview; it can lead
to nothing.

Leonarda. Let us go.

[HAGBART appears at the door.]

Aagot (seeing him before th