e has. We came here to-day by the same boat--

Leonarda. By the same boat? Aagot and you? Have you been persecuting
her?

Hagbart. Mrs. Falk, you cannot possibly understand if you will not allow
me to--

Leonarda. I wish to hear the rest of it from my niece, as I suppose she
will be here directly.

Hagbart. Of course, but still--

Leonarda. There will be no more of that sort of thing here! If you
intend to persecute my niece with your attentions in the same way as you
have persecuted me with your malice, you are at liberty to try. But you
shall not come here! I can forbid it here.

Hagbart. But, my dear Mrs. Falk--

Leonarda. I am really beginning to lose my patience, or rather I have
lost it already. What have you come here for?

Hagbart. As there is no help for it--well, I will tell you straight out,
although it may be a shock to you--I am here to ask for your niece's
hand.

Leonarda (taking up her gloves). If I were a man, so that there should
be nothing "doubtful" about my reply, I would strike you across the face
with my gloves.

Hagbart. But you are a woman, so you will not.

[Enter HANS.]

Hans. Here is Miss Aagot, ma'am.

Aagot (from without). Aunt!

Leonarda. Aagot!

[Enter AAGOT. HANS goes out.]

Aagot. Aunt!--That wretched Hans! I was signalling to him--I wanted to
surprise you. (Throws herself into LEONARDA'S arms.)

Leonarda. Child, have you deceived me?

Aagot. Deceived you? I?

Leonarda. I knew it! (Embraces her.) Forgive me! I had a moment's
horrible doubt--but as soon as I looked at you it was gone!--Welcome,
welcome! How pretty you look! Welcome!

Aagot. Oh, aunt!

Leonarda. What is it?

Aagot. You know.

Leonarda. His shameless persecution of you? Yes! (Meanwhile HAGBART has
slipped out.)

Aagot. Hush!--Oh, he has gone!--Have you been cross with him?

Leonarda. Not as cross as he deserved--

Aagot. Didn't I tell him so?

Leonarda (laughing). What did you tell him?

Aagot. How hasty you could be!--Were you really cruel to him?

Leonarda. Do you mean to say you have any sympathy--with him?

Aagot. Have I any--? But, good heavens, hasn't he told you?

Leonarda. What?

Aagot. That he--that I--that we--oh, aunt, don't look so dreadfully at
me!--You don't know, then?

Leonarda. No!

Aagot. Heaven help me! Aunt--!

Leonarda. You don't mean to say that you--?

Aagot. Yes, aunt.

Leonarda. With him, who--. In spite of that, you--Get away from me!

Aagot. D