le!
Wonderful! And such a courtier as he is, too! It is he that designs
ball-dresses and arranges entertainments--

Riis. Have you gone raving mad?

Nordan. Why do you ask that?

Riis. I am waiting patiently here till you have done talking such damned
nonsense! We are accustomed to something of the sort when you are in one
of those humours, but to-day I can't understand a blessed word of what
you are saying.

Nordan. Don't you, my dear fellow?

Riis. Can you not tell me what my daughter said? Isn't it ridiculous
that I cannot get that out of you! Now, briefly and intelligibly, what
did she say?

Nordan. Do you want to know?

Riis. He asks that!

Nordan. She said she pitied all the innocent young girls that,
generation after generation, disappear--

Riis. Where to?

Nordan. That is just it--where to? She said: "They are brought up in
pious ignorance, and finally the unsuspecting creatures are wrapped up
in a long white veil that they shall not be able to see distinctly where
they are being taken to."

Riis. Now you are talking your mythology again. Am I not to--

Nordan. Be quiet! It is your daughter that is speaking. "But I will not
do that," she said. "I will enter confidently into the holy estate of
matrimony, and sit down by the hearth in the land of my fathers, and
bring up children in the sight of my husband. But he shall be as chaste
as I; for otherwise he stains my child's head, when he kisses it,
and dishonours me."--There, that is what she said, and she looked so
splendid as she said it. (A ring is heard at the bell.)

Riis. They are upon us! They are upon us! What in the world is going to
happen? We are in a muddle of the most preposterous theories! The whole
heathen mythology is buzzing round in my head! (Hurries to the door to
meet MR. and MRS. CHRISTENSEN, whom MARGIT is showing in.) I am so happy
to see you!--so very happy! But your son?

Christensen. We could not get him to come with us.

Riis. I am very sorry!--At the same time, I quite understand.

Christensen. I admire the beauty of this place afresh every time I see
it, my dear sir!

Mrs. Christensen. This beautiful old park! I wanted once--. Oh, good
morning, doctor! How are you?

Nordan. So, so!

Riis (to MARGIT). Please tell Mrs. Riis. And--oh, there she is. (MRS.
RIIS comes in by the door at the left.) And tell Miss Svava.

Nordan. She is out in the park (pointing)--out that way. (Exit MARGIT.)

Riis. No, this way!--Th