Could in no wise more opportunely fall.
My Anna's just engaged.

STRAWMAN [shaking ANNA's hand with unction].
Ah then, I must
Bear witness;--Lo! in wedded Love's presented
A treasure such as neither moth nor rust
Corrupt--if it be duly supplemented.

MRS. HALM.
But how delightful that your little maids
Should follow you to town.

STRAWMAN.
Four tender blades
We have besides.

MRS. HALM.
Ah, really?

STRAWMAN.
Three of whom
Are still too infantine to take to heart
A loving father's absence, when I come
To town for sessions.

MISS JAY [to MRS. HALM, bidding farewell].
Now I must depart.

MRS. HALM.
O, it is still so early!

MISS JAY.
I must fly
To town and spread the news. The Storms, I know,
Go late to rest, they will be up; and oh!
How glad the aunts will be! Now, dear, put by
Your shyness; for to-morrow a spring-tide
Of callers will flow in from every side!

MRS. HALM.
Well, then, good-night
[To the others.
Now friends, what would you say
To drinking tea?
[To MRS. STRAWMAN.
Pray, madam, lead the way.

[MRS. HALM, STRAWMAN, his wife and children, with
GULDSTAD, LIND, and ANNA go into the house.

MISS JAY [taking STIVER's arm].
Now let's be tender! Look how softly floats
Queen Luna on her throne o'er lawn and lea!--
Well, but you are not looking!

STIVER [crossly].
Yes, I see;
I'm thinking of the promissory notes.

[They go out to the left. FALK, who has been
continuously watching STRAWMAN and his wife,
remains behind alone in the garden. It is
now dark; the house is lighted up.

FALK.
All is as if burnt out;--all desolate, dead--!
So thro' the world they wander, two and two;
Charred wreckage, like the blackened stems that strew
The forest when the withering fire is fled.
Far as the eye can travel, all is drought.
And nowhere peeps one spray of verdure out!

[SVANHILD comes out on to the verandah with a
flowering rose-tree which she sets down.

Yes one--yes one--!

SVANHILD.
Falk, in the dark?

FALK.
And fearless!
Darkness to me is fair, and light is cheerless.
But are not you afraid in yonder walls
Where the lamp's light on sa