itation].
No,--but eye for eye,
Svanhild, and tooth for tooth. Now you'll attend
No further greetings from your garden-friend,
No guerdon from the land of melody.
That is my vengeance: as you slew I slay.

SVANHILD.
I slew?

FALK.
You slew. Until this very day,
A clear-voiced song-bird warbled in my soul;
See,--now one passing bell for both may toll--
You've killed it!

SVANHILD.
Have I?

FALK.
Yes, for you have slain
My young, high-hearted, joyous exultation--
[Contemptuously.
By your betrothal!

SVANHILD.
How! But pray explain--!

FALK.
O, it's in full accord with expectation;
He gets his licence, enters orders, speeds to
A post,--as missionary in the West--

SVANHILD [in the same tone].
A pretty penny, also, he succeeds to;--
For it is Lind you speak of--?

FALK.
You know best
Of whom I speak.

SVANHILD [with a subdued smile].
As the bride's sister, true,
I cannot help--

FALK.
Great God! It is not you--?

SVANHILD.
Who win this overplus of bliss? Ah no!

FALK [with almost childish joy].
It is not you! O God be glorified!
What love, what mercy does He not bestow!
I shall not see you as another's bride;--
'Twas but the fire of pain He bade me bear--
[Tries to seize her hand.
O hear me, Svanhild, hear me then--

SVANHILD [pointing quickly to the background].
See there!

[She goes towards the house. At the same moment
MRS. HALM, ANNA, MISS JAY, GULDSTAD, STIVER, and
LIND emerge from the background. During the
previous scene the sun has set; it is now dark.

MRS. HALM [to SVANHILD].
The Strawmans may be momently expected.
Where have you been?

MISS JAY [after glancing at FALK].
Your colour's very high.

SVANHILD.
A little face-ache; it will soon pass by.

MRS. HALM.
And yet you walk at nightfall unprotected?
Arrange the room, and see that tea is ready;
Let everything be nice; I know the lady.
[Svanhild goes in.

STIVER [to FALK].
What is the colour of this parson's coat?

FALK.
I guess bread-taxers would not catch his vote.

STIVER.
How if one made allusion to the store
Of verses, yet unpublished, in my drawer?

FALK.
It might do something.

STIVER.