Chapter III: Part 3

——with a fund of conversation on all sorts of lively topics——

BRACK.

——and not the least bit of a specialist!

HEDDA.

[_With an audible sigh._] Yes, that would be a relief indeed.

BRACK.

[_Hears the front door open, and glances in that direction._] The triangle is completed.

HEDDA.

[_Half aloud._] And on goes the train.

GEORGE TESMAN, _in a grey walking-suit, with a soft felt hat, enters
from the hall. He has a number of unbound books under his arm and in
his pockets._

TESMAN.

[_Goes up to the table beside the corner settee._] Ouf—what a load for a warm day—all these books. [_Lays them on the table._] I’m positively perspiring, Hedda. Hallo—are you there already, my dear Judge? Eh? Berta didn’t tell me.

BRACK.

[_Rising._] I came in through the garden.

HEDDA.

What books have you got there?

TESMAN.

[_Stands looking them through._] Some new books on my special subjects—quite indispensable to me.

HEDDA.

Your special subjects?

BRACK.

Yes, books on his special subjects, Mrs. Tesman.

[_BRACK and HEDDA exchange a confidential smile._

HEDDA.

Do you need still more books on your special subjects?

TESMAN.

Yes, my dear Hedda, one can never have too many of them. Of course one must keep up with all that is written and published.

HEDDA.

Yes, I suppose one must.

TESMAN.

[_Searching among his books._] And look here—I have got hold of Eilert Lövborg’s new book too. [_Offering it to her._] Perhaps you would like to glance through it, Hedda? Eh?

HEDDA.

No, thank you. Or rather—afterwards perhaps.

TESMAN.

I looked into it a little on the way home.

BRACK.

Well, what do you think of it—as a specialist?

TESMAN.

I think it shows quite remarkable soundness of judgment. He never wrote like that before. [_Putting the books together._] Now I shall take all these into my study. I’m longing to cut the leaves——! And then I must change my clothes. [_To BRACK._] I suppose we needn’t start just yet? Eh?

BRACK.

Oh, dear no—there is not the slightest hurry.

TESMAN.

Well then, I will take my time. [_Is going with his books, but stops in the doorway and turns._] By-the-bye, Hedda—Aunt Julia is not coming this evening.

HEDDA.

Not coming? Is it that affair of the bonnet that keeps her away?

TESMAN.

Oh, not at all. How could you think such a thing of Aunt Julia? Just fancy——! The fact is, Aunt Rina is very ill.

HEDDA.

She always is.

TESMAN.

Yes, but to-day she is much worse than usual, poor dear.

HEDDA.

Oh, then it’s only natural that her sister should remain with her. I must bear my disappointment.

TESMAN.

And you can’t imagine, dear, how delighted Aunt Julia seemed to be—because you had come home looking so flourishing!

HEDDA.

[_Half aloud, rising._] Oh, those everlasting Aunts!

TESMAN.

What?

HEDDA.

[_Going to the glass door._] Nothing.

TESMAN.

Oh, all right.

[_He goes through the inner room, out to the right._

BRACK.

What bonnet were you talking about?

HEDDA.

Oh, it was a little episode with Miss Tesman this morning. She had laid down her bonnet on the chair there—[_Looks at him and smiles._]—and I pretended to think it was the servant’s.

BRACK.

[_Shaking his head._] Now my dear Mrs. Hedda, how could you do such a thing? To that excellent old lady, too!

HEDDA.

[_Nervously crossing the room._] Well, you see—these impulses come over me all of a sudden; and I _cannot_ resist them. [_Throws herself down in the easy-chair by the stove._] Oh, I don’t know how to explain it.

BRACK.

[_Behind the easy-chair._] You are not really happy—that is at the bottom of it.

HEDDA.

[_Looking straight before her._] I know of no reason why I should be—happy. Perhaps you can give me one?

BRACK.

Well—amongst other things, because you have got exactly the home you had set your heart on.

HEDDA.

[_Looks up at him and laughs._] Do you too believe in that legend?

BRACK.

Is there nothing in it, then?

HEDDA.

Oh yes, there is _something_ in it.

BRACK.

Well?

HEDDA.

There is _this_ in it, that I made use of Tesman to see me home from evening parties last summer——

BRACK.

I, unfortunately, had to go quite a different way.

HEDDA.

That’s true. I know you were going a different way last summer.

BRACK.

[_Laughing._] Oh fie, Mrs. Hedda! Well, then—you and Tesman——?

HEDDA.

Well, we happened to pass here one evening; Tesman, poor fellow, was writhing in the agony of having to find conversation; so I took pity on the learned man——

BRACK.

[_Smiles doubtfully._] _You_ took pity? H’m——

HEDDA.

Yes, I really did. And so—to help him out of his torment—I happened to say, in pure thoughtlessness, that I should like to live in this villa.

BRACK.

No more than that?

HEDDA.

Not _that_ evening.

BRACK.

But afterwards?

HEDDA.

Yes, my thoughtlessness had consequences, my dear Judge.

BRACK.

Unfortunately that too often happens, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

Thanks! So you see it was this enthusiasm for Secretary Falk’s villa that first constituted a bond of sympathy between George Tesman and me. From _that_ came our engagement and our marriage, and our wedding journey, and all the rest of it. Well, well, my dear Judge—as you make your bed so you must lie, I could almost say.

BRACK.

This is exquisite! And you really cared not a rap about it all the time?

HEDDA.

No, heaven knows I didn’t.

BRACK.

But now? Now that we have made it so homelike for you?

HEDDA.

Uh—the rooms all seem to smell of lavender and dried rose-leaves.—But perhaps it’s Aunt Julia that has brought that scent with her.

BRACK.

[_Laughing._] No, I think it must be a legacy from the late Mrs. Secretary Falk.

HEDDA.

Yes, there is an odour of mortality about it. It reminds me of a bouquet—the day after the ball. [_Clasps her hands behind her head, leans back in her chair and looks at him._] Oh, my dear Judge—you cannot imagine how horribly I shall bore myself here.

BRACK.

Why should not you, too, find some sort of vocation in life, Mrs. Hedda?

HEDDA.

A vocation—that should attract me?

BRACK.

If possible, of course.

HEDDA.

Heaven knows what sort of a vocation that could be. I often wonder whether——[_Breaking off._] But that would never do either.

BRACK.

Who can tell? Let me hear what it is.

HEDDA.

Whether I might not get Tesman to go into politics, I mean.

BRACK.

[_Laughing._] Tesman? No really now, political life is not the thing for him—not at all in his line.

HEDDA.

No, I daresay not.—But if I could get him into it all the same?

BRACK.

Why—what satisfaction could you find in that? If he is not fitted for that sort of thing, why should you want to drive him into it?

HEDDA.

Because I am bored, I tell you! [_After a pause._] So you think it quite out of the question that Tesman should ever get into the ministry?

BRACK.

H’m—you see, my dear Mrs. Hedda—to get into the ministry, he would have to be a tolerably rich man.

HEDDA.

[_Rising impatiently._] Yes, there we have it! It is this genteel poverty I have managed to drop into——! [_Crosses the room._] That is what makes life so pitiable! So utterly ludicrous!—For that’s what it is.

BRACK.

Now _I_ should say the fault lay elsewhere.

HEDDA.

Where, then?

BRACK.

You have never gone through any really stimulating experience.

HEDDA.

Anything serious, you mean?

BRACK.

Yes, you may call it so. But now you may perhaps have one in store.

HEDDA.

[_Tossing her head._] Oh, you’re thinking of the annoyances about this wretched professorship! But that must be Tesman’s own affair. I assure you I shall not waste a thought upon it.

BRACK.

No, no, I daresay not. But suppose now that what people call—in elegant language—a solemn responsibility were to come upon you? [_Smiling._] A new responsibility, Mrs. Hedda?

HEDDA.

[_Angrily._] Be quiet! Nothing of that sort will ever happen!

BRACK.

[_Warily._] We will speak of this again a year hence—at the very outside.

HEDDA.

[_Curtly._] I have no turn for anything of the sort, Judge Brack. No responsibilities for me!

BRACK.

Are you so unlike the generality of women as to have no turn for duties which——?

HEDDA.

[_Beside the glass door._] Oh, be quiet, I tell you!—I often think there is only one thing in the world I have any turn for.

BRACK.

[_Drawing near to her._] And what is that, if I may ask?

HEDDA.

[_Stands looking out._] Boring myself to death. Now you know it. [_Turns, looks towards the inner room, and laughs._] Yes, as I thought! Here comes the Professor.

BRACK.

[_Softly, in a tone of warning._] Come, come, come, Mrs. Hedda!

GEORGE TESMAN, _dressed for the party, with his gloves and hat in his
hand, enters from the right through the inner room._

TESMAN.

Hedda, has no message come from Eilert Lövborg? Eh?

HEDDA.

No.

TESMAN.

Then you’ll see he’ll be here presently.

BRACK.

Do you really think he will come?

TESMAN.

Yes, I am almost sure of it. For what you were telling us this morning must have been a mere floating rumour.

BRACK.

You think so?

TESMAN.

At any rate, Aunt Julia said she did not believe for a moment that he would ever stand in my way again. Fancy that!

BRACK.

Well then, that’s all right.

TESMAN.

[_Placing his hat and gloves on a chair on the right._] Yes, but you must really let me wait for him as long as possible.

BRACK.

We have plenty of time yet. None of my guests will arrive before seven or half-past.

TESMAN.

Then meanwhile we can keep Hedda company, and see what happens. Eh?

HEDDA.

[_Placing BRACK’S hat and overcoat upon the corner settee._] And at the worst Mr. Lövborg can remain here with me.

BRACK.

[_Offering to take his things._] Oh, allow me, Mrs. Tesman!—What do you mean by ”At the worst“?

HEDDA.

If he won’t go with you and Tesman.

TESMAN.

[_Looks dubiously at her._] But, Hedda dear—do you think it would quite do for him to remain with you? Eh? Remember, Aunt Julia can’t come.

HEDDA.

No, but Mrs. Elvsted is coming. We three can have a cup of tea together.

TESMAN.

Oh yes, _that_ will be all right.

BRACK.

[_Smiling._] And that would perhaps be the safest plan for him.

HEDDA.

Why so?

BRACK.

Well, you know, Mrs. Tesman, how you used to gird at my little bachelor parties. You declared they were adapted only for men of the strictest principles.

HEDDA.

But no doubt Mr. Lövborg’s principles are strict enough now. A converted sinner——

[_BERTA appears at the hall door._

BERTA.

There’s a gentleman asking if you are at home, ma’am——

HEDDA.

Well, show him in.

TESMAN.

[_Softly._] I’m sure it is he! Fancy that!

EILERT LÖVBORG _enters from the hall. He is slim and lean; of the same
age as_ TESMAN, _but looks older and somewhat worn-out. His hair and
beard are of a blackish brown, his face long and pale, but with
patches of colour on the cheekbones. He is dressed in a well-cut
black visiting suit, quite new. He has dark gloves and a silk hat.
He stops near the door, and makes a rapid bow, seeming somewhat
embarrassed._

TESMAN.

[_Goes up to him and shakes him warmly by the hand._] Well, my dear Eilert—so at last we meet again!

EILERT LÖVBORG.

[_Speaks in a subdued voice._] Thanks for your letter, Tesman. [_Approaching HEDDA._] Will you too shake hands with me, Mrs. Tesman?

HEDDA.

[_Taking his hand._] I am glad to see you, Mr. Lövborg. [_With a motion of her hand._] I don’t know whether you two gentlemen——?

LÖVBORG.

[_Bowing slightly._] Judge Brack, I think.

BRACK.

[_Doing likewise._] Oh yes,—in the old days——

TESMAN.

[_To Lövborg, with his hands on his shoulders._] And now you must make yourself entirely at home, Eilert! Musn’t he, Hedda?—For I hear you are going to settle in town again? Eh?

LÖVBORG.

Yes, I am.

TESMAN.

Quite right, quite right. Let me tell you, I have got hold of your new book; but I haven’t had time to read it yet.

LÖVBORG.

You may spare yourself the trouble.

TESMAN.

Why so?

LÖVBORG.

Because there is very little in it.

TESMAN.

Just fancy—how can you say so?

BRACK.

But it has been very much praised, I hear.

LÖVBORG.

That was what I wanted; so I put nothing into the book but what every one would agree with.

BRACK.

Very wise of you.

TESMAN.

Well but, my dear Eilert——!

LÖVBORG.

For now I mean to win myself a position again—to make a fresh start.

TESMAN.

[_A little embarrassed._] Ah, that is what you wish to do? Eh?

LÖVBORG.

[_Smiling, lays down his hat, and draws a packet, wrapped in paper, from his coat pocket._] But when this one appears, George Tesman, you will have to read it. For _this_ is the real book—the book I have put my true self into.

TESMAN.

Indeed? And what is it?

LÖVBORG.

It is the continuation.

TESMAN.

The continuation? Of what?

LÖVBORG.

Of the book.

TESMAN.

Of the new book?

LÖVBORG.

Of course.

TESMAN.

Why, my dear Eilert—does it not come down to our own days?

LÖVBORG.

Yes, it does; and this one deals with the future.

TESMAN.

With the future! But, good heavens, we know nothing of the future!

LÖVBORG.

No; but there is a thing or two to be said about it all the same. [_Opens the packet._] Look here——

TESMAN.

Why, that’s not your handwriting.

LÖVBORG.

I dictated it. [_Turning over the pages._] It falls into two sections. The first deals with the civilising forces of the future. And here is the second—[_running through the pages towards the end_]—forecasting the probable line of development.

TESMAN.

How odd now! I should never have thought of writing anything of that sort.

HEDDA.

[_At the glass door, drumming on the pane._] H’m——. I daresay not.

LÖVBORG.

[_Replacing the manuscript in its paper and laying the packet on the table._] I brought it, thinking I might read you a little of it this evening.

TESMAN.

That was very good of you, Eilert. But this evening——? [_Looking at BRACK._] I don’t quite see how we can manage it——

LÖVBORG.

Well then, some other time. There is no hurry.

BRACK.

I must tell you, Mr. Lövborg—there is a little gathering at my house this evening—mainly in honour of Tesman, you know——

LÖVBORG.

[_Looking for his hat._] Oh—then I won’t detain you——

BRACK.

No, but listen—will you not do me the favour of joining us?

LÖVBORG.

[_Curtly and decidedly._] No, I can’t—thank you very much.

BRACK.

Oh, nonsense—do! We shall be quite a select little circle. And I assure you we shall have a “lively time,” as Mrs. Hed—as Mrs. Tesman says.

LÖVBORG.

I have no doubt of it. But nevertheless——

BRACK.

And then you might bring your manuscript with you, and read it to Tesman at my house. I could give you a room to yourselves.

TESMAN.

Yes, think of that, Eilert,—why shouldn’t you? Eh?

HEDDA.

[_Interposing._] But, Tesman, if Mr. Lövborg would really rather not! I am sure Mr. Lövborg is much more inclined to remain here and have supper with me.

Lövborg.

[_Looking at her._] With you, Mrs. Tesman?

HEDDA.

And with Mrs. Elvsted.

LÖVBORG.

Ah——[_Lightly._] I saw her for a moment this morning.

HEDDA.

Did you? Well, she is coming this evening. So you see you are almost bound to remain, Mr. Lövborg, or she will have no one to see her home.

LÖVBORG.

That’s true. Many thanks, Mrs. Tesman—in that case I will remain.

HEDDA.

Then I have one or two orders to give the servant——

[_She goes to the hall door and rings._ BERTA _enters._ HEDDA
_talks to her in a whisper, and points towards the inner
room._ BERTA _nods and goes out again._

TESMAN.

[_At the same time, to LÖVBORG._] Tell me, Eilert—is it this new subject—the future—that you are going to lecture about?

LÖVBORG.

Yes.

TESMAN.

They told me at the bookseller’s that you are going to deliver a course of lectures this autumn.

LÖVBORG.

That is my intention. I hope you won’t take it ill, Tesman.

TESMAN.

Oh no, not in the least! But——?

LÖVBORG.

I can quite understand that it must be disagreeable to you.

TESMAN.

[_Cast down._] Oh, I can’t expect you, out of consideration for me, to——

LÖVBORG.

But I shall wait till you have received your appointment.

TESMAN.

Will you wait? Yes but—yes but—are you not going to compete with me? Eh?

LÖVBORG.

No; it is only the moral victory I care for.

TESMAN.

Why, bless me—then Aunt Julia was right after all! Oh yes—I knew it! Hedda! Just fancy—Eilert Lövborg is not going to stand in our way!

HEDDA.

[_Curtly._] _Our_ way? Pray leave _me_ out of the question.

[_She goes up towards the inner room, where_ BERTA _is placing
a tray with decanters and glasses on the table._ HEDDA _nods
approval, and comes forward again._ BERTA _goes out._

TESMAN.

[_At the same time._] And you, Judge Brack—what do you say to this? Eh?

BRACK.

Well, I say that a moral victory—h’m—may be all very fine——

TESMAN.

Yes, certainly. But all the same——

HEDDA.

[_Looking at TESMAN with a cold smile._] You stand there looking as if you were thunderstruck——

TESMAN.

Yes—so I am—I almost think——

BRACK.

Don’t you see, Mrs. Tesman, a thunderstorm has just passed over?

HEDDA.

[_Pointing towards the inner room._] Will you not take a glass of cold punch, gentlemen?

BRACK.

[_Looking at his watch._] A stirrup-cup? Yes, it wouldn’t come amiss.

TESMAN.

A capital idea, Hedda! Just the thing! Now that the weight has been taken off my mind——

HEDDA.

Will you not join them, Mr. Lövborg?

LÖVBORG.

_[With a gesture of refusal._] No, thank you. Nothing for me.

BRACK.

Why bless me—cold punch is surely not poison.

LÖVBORG.

Perhaps not for every one.

HEDDA.

I will keep Mr. Lövborg company in the meantime.

TESMAN.

Yes, yes, Hedda dear, do.

[_He and_ BRACK _go into the inner room, seat themselves,
drink punch, smoke cigarettes, and carry on a lively
conversation during what follows._ EILERT LÖVBORG _remains
standing beside the stove. HEDDA goes to the writing-table._

HEDDA.

[_Raising her voice a little!_] Do you care to look at some photographs, Mr. Lövborg? You know Tesman and I made a tour in the Tyrol on our way home?

[_She takes up an album, and places it on the table beside the
sofa, in the further corner of which she seats herself._
EILERT LÖVBORG _approaches, stops, and looks at her. Then he
takes a chair and seats himself to her left, with his back
towards the inner room._

HEDDA.

[_Opening the album._] Do you see this range of mountains, Mr. Lövborg? It’s the Ortler group. Tesman has written the name underneath. Here it is: “The Ortler group near Meran.”

LÖVBORG.

[_Who has never taken his eyes off her, says softly and slowly_:] Hedda—Gabler!

HEDDA.

[_Glancing hastily at him._] Ah! Hush!

LÖVBORG.

[_Repeats softly._] Hedda Gabler!

HEDDA.

[_Looking at the album._] That was my name in the old days—when we two knew each other.

LÖVBORG.

And I must teach myself never to say Hedda Gabler again—never, as long as I live.

HEDDA.

[_Still turning over the pages._] Yes, you must. And I think you ought to practise in time. The sooner the better, I should say.

LÖVBORG.

[_In a tone of indignation._] Hedda Gabler married? And married to—George Tesman!

HEDDA.

Yes—so the world goes.

LÖVBORG.

Oh, Hedda, Hedda—how could you[21] throw yourself away!

HEDDA.

[_Looks sharply at him._] What? I can’t allow this!

LÖVBORG.

What do you mean?

[TESMAN _comes into the room and goes towards the sofa._

HEDDA.

[_Hears him coming and says in an indifferent tone._] And this is a view from the Val d’Ampezzo, Mr. Lövborg. Just look at these peaks! [_Looks affectionately up at TESMAN._] What’s the name of these curious peaks, dear?

TESMAN.

Let me see. Oh, those are the Dolomites.

HEDDA.

Yes, that’s it!—Those are the Dolomites, Mr. Lövborg.

TESMAN.

Hedda dear,—I only wanted to ask whether I shouldn’t bring you a little punch after all? For yourself at any rate—eh?

HEDDA.

Yes, do, please; and perhaps a few biscuits.

TESMAN.

No cigarettes?

HEDDA.

No.

TESMAN.

Very well.

[_He goes into the inner room and out to the right._ BRACK
_sits in the inner room, and keeps an eye from time to time
on_ HEDDA _and_ LÖVBORG.

LÖVBORG.

[_Softly, as before._] Answer me, Hedda—how could you go and do this?

HEDDA.

[_Apparently absorbed in the album._] If you continue to say _du_ to me I won’t talk to you.

LÖVBORG.

May I not say _du_ even when we are alone?

HEDDA.

No. You may think it; but you mustn’t say it.

LÖVBORG.

Ah, I understand. It is an offence against George Tesman, whom you[22]—love.

HEDDA.

[_Glances at him and smiles._] Love? What an idea!

LÖVBORG.

You don’t love him then!

HEDDA.

But I won’t hear of any sort of unfaithfulness! Remember that.

LÖVBORG.

Hedda—answer me one thing——

HEDDA.

Hush!

[TESMAN _enters with a small tray from the inner room._

TESMAN.

Here you are! Isn’t this tempting?

[_He puts the tray on the table._

HEDDA.

Why do you bring it yourself?

TESMAN.

[_Filling the glasses._] Because I think it’s such fun to wait upon you, Hedda.

HEDDA.

But you have poured out two glasses. Mr. Lövborg said he wouldn’t have any——

TESMAN.

No, but Mrs. Elvsted will soon be here, won’t she?

HEDDA.

Yes, by-the-bye—Mrs. Elvsted——

TESMAN.

Had you forgotten her? Eh?

HEDDA.

We were so absorbed in these photographs. [_Shows him a picture._] Do you remember this little village?

TESMAN.

Oh, it’s that one just below the Brenner Pass. It was there we passed the night——

HEDDA.

——and met that lively party of tourists.

TESMAN.

Yes, that was the place. Fancy—if we could only have had _you_ with us, Eilert! Eh?

[_He returns to the inner room and sits beside_ BRACK.

LÖVBORG.

Answer me this one thing, Hedda——

HEDDA.

Well?

LÖVBORG.

Was there no love in your friendship for _me_ either? Not a spark—not a tinge of love in it?

HEDDA.

I wonder if there was? To me it seems as though we were two good comrades—two thoroughly intimate friends. [_Smilingly._] You especially were frankness itself.

LÖVBORG.

It was you that made me so.

HEDDA.

As I look back upon it all, I think there was really something beautiful, something fascinating—something daring—in—in that secret intimacy—that comradeship which no living creature so much as dreamed of.

LÖVBORG.

Yes, yes, Hedda! Was there not?—When I used to come to your father’s in the afternoon—and the General sat over at the window reading his papers—with his back towards us——

HEDDA.

And we two on the corner sofa——

LÖVBORG.

Always with the same illustrated paper before us——

HEDDA.

For want of an album, yes.

LÖVBORG.

Yes, Hedda, and when I made my confessions to you—told you about myself, things that at that time no one else knew! There I would sit and tell you of my escapades—my days and nights of devilment. Oh, Hedda—what was the power in you that forced me to confess these things?

HEDDA.

Do you think it was any power in me?

LÖVBORG.

How else can I explain it? And all those—those roundabout questions you used to put to me——

HEDDA.

Which you understood so particularly well——

LÖVBORG.

How could you sit and question me like that? Question me quite frankly——

HEDDA.

In roundabout terms, please observe.

LÖVBORG.

Yes, but frankly nevertheless. Cross-question me about—all that sort of thing?

HEDDA.

And how could you answer, Mr. Lövborg?

LÖVBORG.

Yes, that is just what I can’t understand—in looking back upon it. But tell me now, Hedda—was there not love at the bottom of our friendship? On your side, did you not feel as though you might purge my stains away—if I made you my confessor? Was it not so?

HEDDA.

No, not quite.

LÖVBORG.

What was your motive, then?

HEDDA.

Do you think it quite incomprehensible that a young girl—when it can be done—without any one knowing——

LÖVBORG.

Well?

HEDDA.

——should be glad to have a peep, now and then, into a world which——

LÖVBORG.

Which——?

HEDDA.

——which she is forbidden to know anything about?

LÖVBORG.

So _that_ was it?

HEDDA.

Partly. Partly—I almost think.

LÖVBORG.

Comradeship in the thirst for life. But why should not _that_, at any rate, have continued?

HEDDA.

The fault was yours.

LÖVBORG.

It was you that broke with me.

HEDDA.

Yes, when our friendship threatened to develop into something more serious. Shame upon you, Eilert Lövborg! How could you think of wronging your—your frank comrade?

LÖVBORG.

[_Clenching his hands._] Oh, why did you not carry out your threat? Why did you not shoot me down?

HEDDA.

Because I have such a dread of scandal.

LÖVBORG.

Yes, Hedda, you are a coward at heart.

HEDDA.

A terrible coward. [_Changing her tone._] But it was a lucky thing for you. And now you have found ample consolation at the Elvsteds’.

LÖVBORG.

I know what Thea has confided to you.

HEDDA.

And perhaps you have confided to her something about us?

LÖVBORG.

Not a word. She is too stupid to understand anything of that sort.

HEDDA.

Stupid?

LÖVBORG.

She is stupid about matters of that sort.

HEDDA.

And I am cowardly. [_Bends over towards him, without looking him in the face, and says more softly_:] But now I will confide something to _you_.

LÖVBORG.

[_Eagerly._] Well?

HEDDA.

The fact that I dared not shoot you down——

LÖVBORG.

Yes!

HEDDA.

——_that_ was not my most arrant cowardice—that evening.

LÖVBORG.

[_Looks at her a moment, understands, and whispers passionately._] Oh, Hedda! Hedda Gabler! Now I begin to see a hidden reason beneath our comradeship! You[23] and I——! After all, then, it was your craving for life——

HEDDA.

[_Softly, with a sharp glance._] Take care! Believe nothing of the sort!

[_Twilight has begun to fall. The hall door is opened from
without by_ BERTA.

HEDDA.

[_Closes the album with a bang and calls smilingly_:] Ah, at last! My darling Thea,—come along!

MRS. ELVSTED _enters from the hall. She is in evening dress. The door is
closed behind her._

HEDDA.

[_On the sofa, stretches out her arms towards her._] My sweet Thea—you can’t think how I have been longing for you!

[MRS. ELVSTED, _in passing, exchanges slight salutations with
the gentlemen in the inner room, then goes up to the table
and gives_ HEDDA _her hand._ EILERT LÖVBORG _has risen. He
and_ MRS. ELVSTED _greet each other with a silent nod._

MRS. ELVSTED.

Ought I to go in and talk to your husband for a moment?

HEDDA.

Oh, not at all. Leave those two alone. They will soon be going.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Are they going out?

HEDDA.

Yes, to a supper-party.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Quickly, to LÖVBORG._] Not _you_?

LÖVBORG.

No.

HEDDA.

Mr. Lövborg remains with us.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Takes a chair and is about to seat herself at his side._] Oh, how nice it is here!

HEDDA.

No, thank you, my little Thea! Not _there_! You’ll be good enough to come over here to me. I will sit between you.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, just as you please.

[_She goes round the table and seats herself on the sofa on_
HEDDA’S _right._ LÖVBORG _re-seats himself on his chair._

LÖVBORG.

[_After a short pause, to HEDDA._] Is not she lovely to look at?

HEDDA.

[_Lightly stroking her hair._] Only to look at?

LÖVBORG.

Yes. For _we_ two—she and I—_we_ are two real comrades. _We_ have absolute faith in each other; so we can sit and talk with perfect frankness——

HEDDA.

Not round about, Mr. Lövborg?

LÖVBORG.

Well——

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly clinging close to HEDDA._] Oh, how happy I am, Hedda! For, only think, he says I have inspired him too.

HEDDA.

[_Looks at her with a smile._] Ah! Does he say that, dear?

LÖVBORG.

And then she is so brave, Mrs. Tesman!

MRS. ELVSTED.

Good heavens—am I brave?

LÖVBORG.

Exceedingly—where your comrade is concerned.

HEDDA.

Ah yes—courage! If one only had _that_!

LÖVBORG.

What then? What do you mean?

HEDDA.

Then life would perhaps be liveable, after all. [_With a sudden change of tone._] But now, my dearest Thea, you really must have a glass of cold punch.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, thanks—I never take anything of that kind.

HEDDA.

Well then, _you_, Mr. Lövborg.

LÖVBORG.

Nor I, thank you.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, he doesn’t either.

HEDDA.

[_Looks fixedly at him._] But if I say you _shall_?

LÖVBORG.

It would be no use.

HEDDA.

[_Laughing._] Then I, poor creature, have no sort of power over you?

LÖVBORG.

Not in _that_ respect.

HEDDA.

But seriously, I think you ought to—for your own sake.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Why, Hedda——!

LÖVBORG.

How so?

HEDDA.

Or rather on account of other people.

LÖVBORG.

Indeed?

HEDDA.

Otherwise people might be apt to suspect that—in your heart of hearts—you did not feel quite secure—quite confident in yourself.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly._] Oh please, Hedda——

LÖVBORG.

People may suspect what they like—for the present.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Joyfully._] Yes, let them!

HEDDA.

I saw it plainly in Judge Brack’s face a moment ago.

LÖVBORG.

What did you see?

HEDDA.

His contemptuous smile, when you dared not go with them into the inner room.

LÖVBORG.

Dared not? Of course I preferred to stop here and talk to _you_.

MRS. ELVSTED.

What could be more natural, Hedda?

HEDDA.

But the Judge could not guess that. And I saw, too, the way he smiled and glanced at Tesman when you dared not accept his invitation to this wretched little supper-party of his.

LÖVBORG.

Dared not! Do you say I dared not?

HEDDA.

_I_ don’t say so. But that was how Judge Brack understood it.

LÖVBORG.

Well, let him.

HEDDA.

Then you are not going with them?

LÖVBORG.

I will stay here with you and Thea.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, Hedda—how can you doubt that?

HEDDA.

[_Smiles and nods approvingly to LÖVBORG._] Firm as a rock! Faithful to your principles, now and for ever! Ah, that is how a man should be! [_Turns to MRS. ELVSTED and caresses her._] Well now, what did I tell you, when you came to us this morning in such a state of distraction——

LÖVBORG.

[_Surprised._] Distraction!

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Terrified._] Hedda—oh Hedda——!

HEDDA.

You can see for yourself! You haven’t the slightest reason to be in such mortal terror—— [_Interrupting herself._] There! Now we can all three enjoy ourselves!

LÖVBORG.

[_Who has given a start._] Ah—what is all this, Mrs. Tesman?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh my God, Hedda! What are you saying? What are you doing?

HEDDA.

Don’t get excited! That horrid Judge Brack is sitting watching you.

LÖVBORG.

So she was in mortal terror! On my account!

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly and piteously._] Oh, Hedda—now you have ruined everything!

LÖVBORG.

[_Looks fixedly at her for a moment. His face is distorted._] So _that_ was my comrade’s frank confidence in me?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Imploringly._] Oh, my dearest friend—only let me tell you——

LÖVBORG.

[_Takes one of the glasses of punch, raises it to his lips, and says in a low, husky voice._] Your health, Thea!

[_He empties the glass, puts it down, and takes the
second._

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly._] Oh, Hedda, Hedda—how _could_ you do this?

HEDDA.

_I_ do it? _I?_ Are you crazy?

LÖVBORG.

Here’s to your health too, Mrs. Tesman. Thanks for the truth. Hurrah for the truth!

[_He empties the glass and is about to re-fill it._

HEDDA.

[_Lays her hand on his arm._] Come, come—no more for the present. Remember you are going out to supper.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, no, no!

HEDDA.

Hush! They are sitting watching you.

LÖVBORG.

[_Putting down the glass._] Now, Thea—tell me the truth——

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes.

LÖVBORG.

Did your husband know that you had come after me?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Wringing her hands._] Oh, Hedda—do you hear what he is asking?

LÖVBORG.

Was it arranged between you and him that you were to come to town and look after me? Perhaps it was the Sheriff himself that urged you to come? Aha, my dear—no doubt he wanted my help in his office! Or was it at the card-table that he missed me?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly, in agony._] Oh, Lövborg, Lövborg——!

LÖVBORG.

[_Seizes a glass and is on the point of filling it._] Here’s a glass for the old Sheriff too!

HEDDA.

[_Preventing him._] No more just now. Remember, you have to read your manuscript to Tesman.

LÖVBORG.

[_Calmly, putting down the glass._] It was stupid of me all this, Thea—to take it in this way, I mean. Don’t be angry with me, my dear, dear comrade. You shall see—both you and the others—that if I was fallen once—now I have risen again! Thanks to _you_, Thea.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Radiant with joy._] Oh, heaven be praised——!

[BRACK _has in the meantime looked at his watch. He and_
TESMAN _rise and come into the drawing-room._

BRACK.

[_Takes his hat and overcoat._] Well, Mrs. Tesman, our time has come.

HEDDA.

I suppose it has.

LÖVBORG.

[_Rising._] Mine too, Judge Brack.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Softly and imploringly._] Oh, Lövborg, don’t do it!

HEDDA.

[_Pinching her arm._] They can hear you!

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_With a suppressed shriek._] Ow!

LÖVBORG.

[_To BRACK._] You were good enough to invite me.

BRACK.

Well, are you coming after all?

LÖVBORG.

Yes, many thanks.

BRACK.

I’m delighted——

LÖVBORG.

[_To TESMAN, putting the parcel of MS. in his pocket._] I should like to show you one or two things before I send it to the printers.

TESMAN.

Fancy—that will be delightful. But, Hedda dear, how is Mrs. Elvsted to get home? Eh?

HEDDA.

Oh, that can be managed somehow.

LÖVBORG.

[_Looking towards the ladies._] Mrs. Elvsted? Of course, I’ll come again and fetch her. [_Approaching._] At ten or thereabouts, Mrs. Tesman? Will that do?

HEDDA.

Certainly. That will do capitally.

TESMAN.

Well, then, that’s all right. But you must not expect _me_ so early, Hedda.

HEDDA.

Oh, you may stop as long—as long as ever you please.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Trying to conceal her anxiety._] Well then, Mr. Lövborg—I shall remain here until you come.

LÖVBORG.

[_With his hat in his hand._] Pray do, Mrs. Elvsted.

BRACK.

And now off goes the excursion train, gentlemen! I hope we shall have a lively time, as a certain fair lady puts it.

HEDDA.

Ah, if only the fair lady could be present unseen——!

BRACK.

Why unseen?

HEDDA.

In order to hear a little of your liveliness at first hand, Judge Brack.

BRACK.

[_Laughing._] I should not advise the fair lady to try it.

TESMAN.

[_Also laughing._] Come, you’re a nice one Hedda! Fancy that!

BRACK.

Well, good-bye, good-bye, ladies.

LÖVBORG.

[_Bowing._] About ten o’clock, then.

[BRACK, LÖVBORG, _and_ TESMAN _go out by the hall door. At the
same time,_ BERTA _enters from the inner room with a lighted
lamp, which she places on the drawing-room table; she goes
out by the way she came._

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Who has risen and is wandering restlessly about the room._] Hedda—Hedda—what will come of all this?

HEDDA.

At ten o’clock—he will be here. I can see him already—with vine-leaves in his hair—flushed and fearless——

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, I hope he may.

HEDDA.

And then, you see—then he will have regained control over himself. Then he will be a free man for all his days.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh God!—if he would only come as you see him now!

HEDDA.

He will come as I see him—so, and not otherwise! [_Rises and approaches THEA._] You may doubt him as long as you please; _I_ believe in him. And now we will try——

MRS. ELVSTED.

You have some hidden motive in this, Hedda!

HEDDA.

Yes, I _have_. I want for once in my life to have power to mould a human destiny.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Have you not the power?

HEDDA.

I have not—and have never had it.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Not your husband’s?

HEDDA.

Do you think _that_ is worth the trouble? Oh, if you could only understand how poor I am. And fate has made _you_ so rich! [_Clasps her passionately in her arms._] I think I must burn your hair off, after all.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Let me go! Let me go! I am afraid of you, Hedda!

BERTA.

[_In the middle doorway._] Tea is laid in the dining-room, ma’am.

HEDDA.

Very well. We are coming.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, no, no! I would rather go home alone! At once!

HEDDA.

Nonsense! First you shall have a cup of tea, you little stupid. And then—at ten o’clock—Eilert Lövborg will be here—with vine-leaves in his hair.

[_She drags_ MRS. ELVSTED _almost by force towards the middle
doorway._

ACT THIRD.

_The room at the_ TESMANS’. _The curtains are drawn over the middle
doorway, and also over the glass door. The lamp, half turned down,
and with a shade over it, is burning on the table. In the stove,
the door of which stands open, there has been a fire, which is now
nearly burnt out._

MRS. ELVSTED, _wrapped in a large shawl, and with her feet upon a
foot-rest, sits close to the stove, sunk back in the arm-chair._
HEDDA, _fully dressed, lies sleeping upon the sofa, with a
sofa-blanket over her._

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_After a pause, suddenly sits up in her chair, and listens eagerly. Then she sinks back again wearily, moaning to herself._] Not yet!—Oh God—oh God—not yet!

BERTA _slips cautiously in by the hall door. She has a letter in her
hand._

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Turns and whispers eagerly._] Well—has any one come?

BERTA.

[_Softly._] Yes, a girl has just brought this letter.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Quickly, holding out her hand._] A letter! Give it to me!

BERTA.

No, it’s for Dr. Tesman, ma’am.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, indeed.

BERTA.

It was Miss Tesman’s servant that brought it. I’ll lay it here on the table.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, do.

BERTA.

[_Laying down the letter._] I think I had better put out the lamp. It’s smoking.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, put it out. It must soon be daylight now.

BERTA.

[_Putting out the lamp._] It is daylight already, ma’am.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, broad day! And no one come back yet——!

BERTA.

Lord bless you, ma’am—I guessed how it would be.

MRS. ELVSTED.

You guessed?

BERTA.

Yes, when I saw that a certain person had come back to town—and that he went off with them. For we’ve heard enough about that gentleman before now.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Don’t speak so loud. You will waken Mrs. Tesman.

BERTA.

[_Looks towards the sofa and sighs._] No, no—let her sleep, poor thing. Shan’t I put some wood on the fire?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Thanks, not for me.

BERTA.

Oh, very well.

[_She goes softly out by the hall door._

HEDDA.

[_Is wakened by the shutting of the door, and looks up._] What’s that——?

MRS. ELVSTED.

It was only the servant——

HEDDA.

[_Looking about her._] Oh, we’re here——! Yes, now I remember. [_Sits erect upon the sofa, stretches herself, and rubs her eyes._] What o’clock is it, Thea?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Looks at her watch._] It’s past seven.

HEDDA.

When did Tesman come home?

MRS. ELVSTED.

He has not come.

HEDDA.

Not come home yet?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Rising._] No one has come.

HEDDA.

Think of our watching and waiting here till four in the morning——

MRS. ELVSTED.

[_Wringing her hands._] And _how_ I watched and waited for him!

HEDDA.

[_Yawns, and says with her hand before her mouth._] Well well—we might have spared ourselves the trouble.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Did you get a little sleep?

HEDDA.

Oh yes; I believe I have slept pretty well. Have you not?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Not for a moment. I couldn’t, Hedda!—not to save my life.

HEDDA.

[_Rises and goes towards her._] There there there! There’s nothing to be so alarmed about. I understand quite well what has happened.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Well, what do you think? Won’t you tell me?

HEDDA.

Why, of course it has been a very late affair at Judge Brack’s——

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, yes—that is clear enough. But all the same——

HEDDA.

And then, you see, Tesman hasn’t cared to come home and ring us up in the middle of the night. [_Laughing._] Perhaps he wasn’t inclined to show himself either—immediately after a jollification.

MRS. ELVSTED.

But in that case—where can he have gone?

HEDDA.

Of course he has gone to his Aunts’ and slept there. They have his old room ready for him.

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, he can’t be with _them_; for a letter has just come for him from Miss Tesman. There it lies.

HEDDA.

Indeed? [_Looks at the address._] Why yes, it’s addressed in Aunt Julia’s own hand. Well then, he has remained at Judge Brack’s. And as for Eilert Lövborg—he is sitting, with vine leaves in his hair, reading his manuscript.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh Hedda, you are just saying things you don’t believe a bit.

HEDDA.

You really are a little blockhead, Thea.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh yes, I suppose I am.

HEDDA.

And how mortally tired you look.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes, I am mortally tired.

HEDDA.

Well then, you must do as I tell you. You must go into my room and lie down for a little while.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh no, no—I shouldn’t be able to sleep.

HEDDA.

I am sure you would.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Well, but your husband is certain to come soon now; and then I want to know at once——

HEDDA.

I shall take care to let you know when he comes.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Do you promise me, Hedda?

HEDDA.

Yes, rely upon me. Just you go in and have a sleep in the meantime.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Thanks; then I’ll try to.

[_She goes off through the inner room._

[HEDDA _goes up to the glass door and draws back the curtains.
The broad daylight streams into the room. Then she takes a
little hand-glass from the writing-table, looks at herself
in it, and arranges her hair. Next she goes to the hall door
and presses the bell-button._

ce BERTA _presently appears at the hall door._

BERTA.

Did you want anything, ma’am?

HEDDA.

Yes; you must put some more wood in the stove. I am shivering.

BERTA.

Bless me—I’ll make up the fire at once. [_She rakes the embers together and lays a piece of wood upon them; then stops and listens._] That was a ring at the front door, ma’am.

HEDDA.

Then go to the door. I will look after the fire.

BERTA.

It’ll soon burn up.

[_She goes out by the hall door._

[HEDDA _kneels on the foot-rest and lays some more pieces of
wood in the stove._

_After a short pause,_ GEORGE TESMAN _enters from the hall. He looks
tired and rather serious. He steals on tiptoe towards the middle
doorway and is about to slip through the curtains._

HEDDA.

[_At the stove, without looking up._] Good morning.

TESMAN.

[_Turns._] Hedda! [_Approaching her._] Good heavens—are you up so early? Eh?

HEDDA.

Yes, I am up very early this morning.

TESMAN.

And I never doubted you were still sound asleep. Fancy that, Hedda!

HEDDA.

Don’t speak so loud. Mrs. Elvsted is resting in my room.

TESMAN.

Has Mrs. Elvsted been here all night?

HEDDA.

Yes, since no one came to fetch her.

TESMAN.

Ah, to be sure.

HEDDA.

[_Closes the door of the stove and rises._] Well, did you enjoy yourselves at Judge Brack’s?

TESMAN.

Have you been anxious about me? Eh?

HEDDA.

No, I should never think of being anxious. But I asked if you had enjoyed yourself.

TESMAN.

Oh yes,—for once in a way. Especially the beginning of the evening; for then Eilert read me part of his book. We arrived more than an hour too early—fancy that! And Brack had all sorts of arrangements to make—so Eilert read to me.

HEDDA.

[_Seating herself by the table on the right._] Well? Tell me, then——

TESMAN.

[_Sitting on a footstool near the stove._] Oh Hedda, you can’t conceive what a book that is going to be! I believe it is one of the most remarkable things that have ever been written. Fancy that!

HEDDA.

Yes, yes; I don’t care about that——

TESMAN.

I must make a confession to you, Hedda. When he had finished reading—a horrid feeling came over me.

HEDDA.

A horrid feeling?

TESMAN.

I felt jealous of Eilert for having had it in him to write such a book. Only think, Hedda!

HEDDA.

Yes, yes, I am thinking!

TESMAN.

And then how pitiful to think that he—with all his gifts—should be irreclaimable, after all.

HEDDA.

I suppose you mean that he has more courage than the rest?

TESMAN.

No, not at all—I mean that he is incapable of taking his pleasures in moderation.

HEDDA.

And what came of it all—in the end?

TESMAN.

Well, to tell the truth, I think it might best be described as an orgie, Hedda.

HEDDA.

Had he vine-leaves in his hair?

TESMAN.

Vine-leaves? No, I saw nothing of the sort. But he made a long, rambling speech in honour of the woman who had inspired him in his work—that was the phrase he used.

HEDDA.

Did he name her?

TESMAN.

No, he didn’t; but I can’t help thinking he meant Mrs. Elvsted. You may be sure he did.

HEDDA.

Well—where did you part from him?

TESMAN.

On the way to town. We broke up—the last of us at any rate—all together; and Brack came with us to get a breath of fresh air. And then, you see, we agreed to take Eilert home; for he had had far more than was good for him.

HEDDA.

I daresay.

TESMAN.

But now comes the strange part of it, Hedda; or, I should rather say, the melancholy part of it. I declare I am almost ashamed—on Eilert’s account—to tell you——

HEDDA.

Oh, go on——!

TESMAN.

Well, as we were getting near town, you see, I happened to drop a little behind the others. Only for a minute or two—fancy that!

HEDDA.

Yes yes yes, but——?

TESMAN.

And then, as I hurried after them—what do you think I found by the wayside? Eh?

HEDDA.

Oh, how should I know!

TESMAN.

You mustn’t speak of it to a soul, Hedda! Do you hear! Promise me, for Eilert’s sake. [_Draws a parcel, wrapped in paper, from his coat pocket._] Fancy, dear—I found this.

HEDDA.

Is not that the parcel he had with him yesterday?

TESMAN.

Yes, it is the whole of his precious, irreplaceable manuscript! And he had gone and lost it, and knew nothing about it. Only fancy, Hedda! So deplorably——

HEDDA.

But why did you not give him back the parcel at once?

TESMAN.

I didn’t dare to—in the state he was then in——

HEDDA.

Did you not tell any of the others that you had found it?

TESMAN.

Oh, far from it! You can surely understand that, for Eilert’s sake, I wouldn’t do that.

HEDDA.

So no one knows that Eilert Lövborg’s manuscript is in your possession?

TESMAN.

No. And no one _must_ know it.

HEDDA.

Then what did you say to him afterwards?

TESMAN.

I didn’t talk to him again at all; for when we got in among the streets, he and two or three of the others gave us the slip and disappeared. Fancy that!

HEDDA.

Indeed! They must have taken him home then.

TESMAN.

Yes, so it would appear. And Brack, too, left us.

HEDDA.

And what have you been doing with yourself since?

TESMAN.

Well, I and some of the others went home with one of the party, a jolly fellow, and took our morning coffee with him; or perhaps I should rather call it our night coffee—eh? But now, when I have rested a little, and given Eilert, poor fellow, time to have his sleep out, I must take this back to him.

HEDDA.

[_Holds out her hand for the packet._] No—don’t give it to him! Not in such a hurry, I mean. Let me read it first.

TESMAN.

No, my dearest Hedda, I mustn’t, I really mustn’t.

HEDDA.

You must not?

TESMAN.

No—for you can imagine what a state of despair he will be in when he wakens and misses the manuscript. He has no copy of it, you must know! He told me so.

HEDDA.

[_Looking searchingly at him._] Can such a thing not be reproduced? Written over again?

TESMAN.

No, I don’t think that would be possible. For the inspiration, you see——

HEDDA.

Yes, yes—I suppose it depends on that——[_Lightly._] But, by-the-bye—here is a letter for you.

TESMAN.

Fancy——!

HEDDA.

[_Handing it to him._] It came early this morning.

TESMAN.

It’s from Aunt Julia! What can it be? [_He lays the packet on the other footstool, opens the letter, runs his eye through it, and jumps up._] Oh, Hedda—she says that poor Aunt Rina is dying!

HEDDA.

Well, we were prepared for that.

TESMAN.

And that if I want to see her again, I must make haste. I’ll run in to them at once.

HEDDA.

[_Suppressing a smile._] Will you run?

TESMAN.

Oh, my dearest Hedda—if you could only make up your mind to come with me! Just think!

HEDDA.

[_Rises and says wearily, repelling the idea._] No, no, don’t ask me. I _will_ not look upon sickness and death. I loathe all sorts of ugliness.

TESMAN.

Well, well, then——! [_Bustling around._] My hat——? My overcoat——? Oh, in the hall——. I do hope I mayn’t come too late, Hedda! Eh?

HEDDA.

Oh, if you run———

[_BERTA appears at the hall door._

BERTA.

Judge Brack is at the door, and wishes to know if he may come in.

TESMAN.

At this time! No, I can’t possibly see him.

HEDDA.

But I can. [_To BERTA._] Ask Judge Brack to come in.

[_BERTA goes out._

HEDDA.

[_Quickly, whispering._] The parcel, Tesman!

[_She snatches it up from the stool._

TESMAN.

Yes, give it to me!

HEDDA.

No, no, I will keep it till you come back.

[_She goes to the writing-table and places it in the bookcase._
TESMAN _stands in a flurry of haste, and cannot get his gloves
on._

_JUDGE BRACK enters from the hall._

HEDDA.

[_Nodding to him._] You are an early bird, I must say.

BRACK.

Yes, don’t you think so? [_To TESMAN._] Are you on the move, too?

TESMAN.

Yes, I _must_ rush off to my aunts’. Fancy—the invalid one is lying at death’s door, poor creature.

BRACK.

Dear me, is she indeed? Then on no account let me detain you. At such a critical moment——

TESMAN.

Yes, I must really rush——Good-bye! Good-bye!

[_He hastens out by the hall door._

HEDDA.

[_Approaching._] You seem to have made a particularly lively night of it at your rooms, Judge Brack.

BRACK.

I assure you I have not had my clothes off, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

Not you, either?

BRACK.

No, as you may see. But what has Tesman been telling you of the night’s adventures?

HEDDA.

Oh, some tiresome story. Only that they went and had coffee somewhere or other.

BRACK.

I have heard about that coffee-party already. Eilert Lövborg was not with them, I fancy?

HEDDA.

No, they had taken him home before that.

BRACK.

Tesman too?

HEDDA.

No, but some of the others, he said.

BRACK.

[_Smiling._] George Tesman is really an ingenuous creature, Mrs. Hedda.

HEDDA.

Yes, heaven knows he is. Then is there something behind all this?

BRACK.

Yes, perhaps there may be.

HEDDA.

Well then, sit down, my dear Judge, and tell your story in comfort.

[_She seats herself to the left of the table. BRACK sits near her, at the long side of the table._

HEDDA.

Now then?

BRACK.

I had special reasons for keeping track of my guests—or rather of some of my guests—last night.

HEDDA.

Of Eilert Lövborg among the rest, perhaps?

BRACK.

Frankly—yes.

HEDDA.

Now you make me really curious——

BRACK.

Do you know where he and one or two of the others finished the night, Mrs. Hedda?

HEDDA.

If it is not quite unmentionable, tell me.

BRACK.

Oh no, it’s not at all unmentionable. Well, they put in an appearance at a particularly animated soirée.

HEDDA.

Of the lively kind?

BRACK.

Of the very liveliest——

HEDDA.

Tell me more of this, Judge Brack——

BRACK.

Lövborg, as well as the others, had been invited in advance. I knew all about it. But he had declined the invitation; for now, as you know, he has become a new man.

HEDDA.

Up at the Elvsteds’, yes. But he went after all, then?

BRACK.

Well, you see, Mrs. Hedda—unhappily the spirit moved him at my rooms last evening——

HEDDA.

Yes, I hear he found inspiration.

BRACK.

Pretty violent inspiration. Well, I fancy that altered his purpose; for we menfolk are unfortunately not always so firm in our principles as we ought to be.

HEDDA.

Oh, I am sure _you_ are an exception, Judge Brack. But as to Lövborg——?

BRACK.

To make a long story short—he landed at last in Mademoiselle Diana’s rooms.

HEDDA.

Mademoiselle Diana’s?

BRACK.

It was Mademoiselle Diana that was giving the soirée, to a select circle of her admirers and her lady friends.

HEDDA.

Is she a red-haired woman?

BRACK.

Precisely.

HEDDA.

A sort of a—singer?

BRACK.

Oh yes—in her leisure moments. And moreover a mighty huntress—of men—Mrs. Hedda. You have no doubt heard of her. Eilert Lövborg was one of her most enthusiastic protectors—in the days of his glory.

HEDDA.

And how did all this end?

BRACK.

Far from amicably, it appears. After a most tender meeting, they seem to have come to blows——

HEDDA.

Lövborg and she?

BRACK.

Yes. He accused her or her friends of having robbed him. He declared that his pocket-book had disappeared—and other things as well. In short, he seems to have made a furious disturbance.

HEDDA.

And what came of it all?

BRACK.

It came to a general scrimmage, in which the ladies as well as the gentlemen took part. Fortunately the police at last appeared on the scene.

HEDDA.

The police too?

BRACK.