falls ill, very ill. And then some one finds him out and
comforts him--a woman.

Laura (looking up). How does that happen?

Mathilde. His heart is like an empty house, in an atmosphere of sadness
and longing. Little by little she--the woman who comforts him--creeps
into it; and so in time there comes the day when he can say he is happy.
(A pause.)

Laura (quietly). Who is she?

Mathilde. One of those poor-spirited creatures that can be content with
the aftermath of love.

Laura (after a pause, during which she has been looking fixedly at
MATHILDE). Could you be that?

Mathilde. No!--I must be first or nothing!

Laura. But about her?

Mathilde. The wife?

Laura. Yes. What happens to her?

Mathilde. Directly she realises that love for another has taken
possession of her husband, she turns towards him with all her heart; but
it is too late then. (LAURA sits absorbed for a few moments; then gets
up hurriedly and goes to a little work-table that is standing at the end
of the couch on the left, opens it, looks for something in it, stops to
think, then looks in it again.) What are you looking for?

Laura. A photograph.

Mathilde. Axel's?

Laura. No--but what has become of it?

Mathilde. Don't you remember that one day you took it up and said you
would not have it? So I hid it.

Laura. You?

Mathilde. Yes--till you should ask about it. (Gets up, opens her
work-table that stands by the right-hand couch.) Here it is. (Gives it
to her.)

Laura. So you have got it! (Lays it in her table drawer without looking
at it, shuts the drawer, goes a few paces away, then comes back, turns
the key in the drawer and takes it out.) Has Axel read the new book?

Mathilde. I don't know. Shall I give it to him?

Laura. Just as you like. Perhaps you would like to read it aloud to him.
(A Maid comes in with a letter; LAURA takes it, and the Maid goes out
again.) From my parents! (Kisses the letter with emotion.) The only ones
who love me! (Goes out hurriedly. At the same moment AXEL comes in from
the outer door.)

Axel. She always goes when I come in!

Mathilde (getting up). This time it was an accident, though. (Looks at
him.) How pale you are!

Axel (seriously). I am rather worried.--Have you read the new novel?

Mathilde (putting the book in her pocket). What novel?

Axel. "The Newly-Married Couple"--quite a small book.

Mathilde. Oh, that one--I have just been reading it.

Axel (eagerly). And Laura too? Has La