Grandmother. I don't know.--But happiness is often so brief.
Hagbart. Happiness so brief? What do you mean?--Good God, grandmother, don't torture me!
Grandmother. I assure you, I know nothing about it--only--
Grandmother. While your uncle was with me, Mrs. Falk was announced.
Hagbart. Mrs. Falk? Has she been here? Just now?
Hagbart. Then something must have happened! Perhaps it was she that uncle--. (Rushes to the door, which opens, and the BISHOP comes in with AAGOT on his arm, followed by CORNELIA.) Aagot!
Aagot. Hagbart!--(Anxiously.) Is aunt not here!
Cornelia. What, grandmother here! (Goes to her.)
Bishop. My dear Aagot, your aunt entrusted this letter to me to give to you.
Grandmother. What is the matter? Let me see! (CORNELIA moves her chair nearer to the others.)
Aagot (reads). "My darling. When you receive this letter I shall have--gone away. I love the man you--." (With a cry, she falls swooning. The BISHOP catches her in his arms.)
Cornelia. She loves the man you--? Good God, look at Hagbart!
Bishop. Cornelia! (She goes to him, and they lay AAGOT on the couch. CORNELIA stays beside her. The BISHOP turns to HAGBART.) Hagbart! (HAGBART throws himself into his arms.) Courage! Courage, my boy!
Grandmother (getting up). It is like going back to the days of great emotions!
RIIS. MRS. RIIS. SVAVA, their daughter. MARGIT, their maid. CHRISTENSEN. MRS. CHRISTENSEN. ALFRED, their son, betrothed to Svava. DR. NORDAN. THOMAS, his servant. HOFF.
The action of the play passes in Christiania.
(SCENE.--A room in RIIS' house. An open door at the back leads into a park and gives a glimpse of the sea beyond. Windows on each side of the door. Doors also in the right and left walls. Beyond the door on the right is a piano; opposite to the piano a cupboard. In the foreground, to the right and left, two couches with small tables in front of them. Easy-chairs and smaller hairs scattered about. MRS. RIIS is sitting on the couch to the left, and DR. NORDAN in a chair in the centre of the room. He is wearing a straw hat pushed on to the back of his head, and has a large handkerchief spread over his knees. He is sitting with his arms folded, leaning upon his stick.)
Nordan. What was it you were asking me about?