Hagbart. You have more youth in you than I. You are an enchantress! All
your life you will be showing me new aspects of yourself--as you are
doing now. Each year will invest you with a new beauty, new spiritual
power. Do you think I only half understand you, or only half love you?
I want to sit close in your heart, warmed by its glow. It is the
irresistible power of truth that has drawn me to you. My whole life will
not be long enough for me to sound the unfathomable depths of your soul.

Leonarda. Your words are like the spring breezes, alluring and
intoxicating, but full of deadly peril too.

Hagbart. You love me! I knew it before I came here to-day. I saw it
the moment I stood here. Love is the very breath of life to you,
surpassingly more than to any one else I have ever seen; and that is why
you have suffered so terribly from the disappointments and emptiness
of life. And now, when love is calling to you--love that is true and
sincere--you are trembling!

Leonarda. You understand me in a way I thought impossible! It takes away
all my resolution; it--

Hagbart. Surely you saw it in all the many talks we love had?

Leonarda. Yes.

Hagbart. Then is that not a proof that we two--?

Leonarda. Yes, it is true! I can hide nothing from you. (Bursts into
tears.)

Hagbart. But why this unhappiness?

Leonarda. I don't know! It pursues me all day, and all through the
sleepless night. (Weeps helplessly.)

Hagbart. But it has no real existence. It might, in the case of others;
but not in our case--not for us.

Leonarda. I spoke in my distress, without thinking. I threw out the
first thing that came into my head, to try and stop you. But it is not
that--oh, God! (Sways as if half swooning.)

Hagbart (rushing to her side). Leonarda!

Leonarda. No, no! Let me be!

Hagbart. You know your love is too strong for you--will you not give way
to it?

Leonarda. Hagbart, there is something about it that is not right--

Hagbart. Do you mean in the way it has come about? In Aagot's having
been the means of leading me to you? Think of it, and you will see that
it could not have happened otherwise.

Leonarda. Talking about it will not help me. I must see Aagot; I must
speak to Aagot.

Hagbart. But you have done that! You know it is you that love me, and
not she. You know it is you that I love, and not her. What more do you
need?

Leonarda. I want time. I want not to lose the self-control I have won
for myself by ye