ed.

STRAWMAN [Rubbing his hands with satisfaction and looking
after FALK].
Insolent fellow! Well, it served him right;--
Would all these knowing knaves were in his plight!

[They go across in conversation; MRS. HALM
approaches with SVANHILD.

MRS. HALM [aside eagerly].
And nothing binds you?

SVANHILD.
Nothing.

MRS. HALM.
Good, you know
A daughter's duty--

SVANHILD.
Guide me, I obey.

MRS. HALM.
Thanks, child. [Pointing to GULDSTAD.
He is rich and _comme il faut
Parti_; and since there's nothing in the way--

SVANHILD.
Yes, there is one condition I require!--
To leave this place.

MRS. HALM.
Precisely his desire.

SVANHILD.
And time--

MRS. HALM.
How long? Bethink you, fortune's calling!

SVANHILD [with a quiet smile].
Only a little; till the leaves are falling.

[She goes towards the verandah; MRS. HALM seeks
out GULDSTAD.

STRAWMAN [among the guests].
One lesson, friends, we learn from this example!
Tho' Doubt's beleaguering forces hem us in,
The Truth upon the Serpents's head shall trample,
The cause of Love shall win--

GUESTS.
Yes, Love shall win!

[They embrace and kiss, pair by pair. Outside to
the left are heard song and laughter.

MISS JAY.
What can this mean?

ANNA.
The students!

LIND.
The quartette,
Bound for the mountains;--and I quite forgot
To tell them--

[The STUDENTS come in to the left and remain
standing at the entrance.

A STUDENT [to LIND].
Here we are on the spot!

MRS. HALM.
It's Lind you seek, then?

MISS JAY.
That's unfortunate.
He's just engaged--

AN AUNT.
And so, you may be sure,
He cannot think of going on a tour.

THE STUDENTS.
Engaged!

ALL THE STUDENTS.
Congratulations!

LIND [to his comrades].
Thanks, my friends!

THE STUDENT [to his comrades].
There goes our whole fish-kettle in the fire!
Our tenor lost! No possible amends!

FALK [Coming from the right, in summer suit, with student's
cap, knapsack and stick.
_I'll_ sing the tenor in young Norway's choir!

THE STUDENTS.
You, Falk! hurrah!

FALK.
Forth to the mountains, come!
As the bee hurries f