shuts._] No. He rushed off to his aunt’s directly after lunch; he didn’t
expect you so early.
BRACK.
H’m—how stupid of me not to have thought of that!
HEDDA.
[_Turning her head to look at him._] Why stupid?
BRACK.
Because if I had thought of it I should have come a little—earlier.
HEDDA.
[_Crossing the room._] Then you would have found no one to receive you;
for I have been in my room changing my dress ever since lunch.
BRACK.
And is there no sort of little chink that we could hold a parley
through?
HEDDA.
You have forgotten to arrange one.
BRACK.
That was another piece of stupidity.
HEDDA.
Well, we must just settle down here—and wait. Tesman is not likely to be
back for some time yet.
BRACK.
Never mind; I shall not be impatient.
HEDDA _seats herself in the corner of the sofa._ BRACK _lays his
overcoat over the back of the nearest chair, and sits down, but
keeps his hat in his hand. A short silence. They look at each
other._
HEDDA.
Well?
BRACK.
[_In the same tone._] Well?
HEDDA.
I spoke first.
BRACK.
[_Bending a little forward._] Come, let us have a cosy little chat, Mrs.
Hedda.[20]
HEDDA.
[_Leaning further back in the sofa._] Does it not seem like a whole
eternity since our last talk? Of course I don’t count those few words
yesterday evening and this morning.
BRACK.
You mean since our last confidential talk? Our last _tête-à-tête_?
HEDDA.
Well yes—since you put it so.
BRACK.
Not a day has passed but I have wished that you were home again.
HEDDA.
And I have done nothing but wish the same thing.
BRACK.
You? Really, Mrs. Hedda? And I thought you had been enjoying your tour
so much!
HEDDA.
Oh yes, you may be sure of that!
BRACK.
But Tesman’s letters spoke of nothing but happiness.
HEDDA.
Oh, _Tesman_! You see, he thinks nothing so delightful as grubbing in
libraries and making copies of old parchments, or whatever you call
them.
BRACK.
[_With a spice of malice._] Well, that is his vocation in life—or part
of it at any rate.
HEDDA.
Yes, of course; and no doubt when it’s your vocation——. But _I_! Oh, my
dear Mr. Brack, how mortally bored I have been.
BRACK.
[_Sympathetically._] Do you really say so? In downright earnest?
HEDDA.
Yes, you can surely understand it——! To go for six whole months without
meeting a soul that knew anything of our circle, or could talk about the
things we are interested in.
BRACK.
Yes, yes—I too should feel that a deprivation.
HEDDA.
And then, what I found most intolerable of all——
BRACK.
Well?
HEDDA.
——was being everlastingly in the company of—one and the same person——
BRACK.
[_With a nod of assent._] Morning, noon, and night, yes—at all possible
times and seasons.
HEDDA.
I said “everlastingly.”
BRACK.
Just so. But I should have thought, with our excellent Tesman, one
could——
HEDDA.
Tesman is—a specialist, my dear Judge.
BRACK.
Undeniably.
HEDDA.
And specialists are not at all amusing to travel with. Not in the long
run at any rate.
BRACK.
Not even—the specialist one happens to _love_?
HEDDA.
Faugh—don’t use that sickening word!
BRACK.
[_Taken aback._] What do you say, Mrs. Hedda?
HEDDA.
[_Half laughing, half irritated._] You should just try it! To hear of
nothing but the history of civilisation, morning, noon, and night——
BRACK.
Everlastingly.
HEDDA.
Yes, yes, yes! And then all this about the domestic industry of the
middle ages——! That’s the most disgusting part of it!
BRACK.
[_Looks searchingly at her._] But tell me—in that case, how am I to
understand your——? H’m——
HEDDA.
My accepting George Tesman, you mean?
BRACK.
Well, let us put it so.
HEDDA.
Good heavens, do you see anything so wonderful in that?
BRACK.
Yes and no—Mrs. Hedda.
HEDDA.
I had positively danced myself tired, my dear Judge. My day was done——
[_With a slight shudder._] Oh no—I won’t say that; nor think it either!
BRACK.
You have assuredly no reason to.
HEDDA.
Oh, reasons—— [_Watching him closely._] And George Tesman—after all, you
must admit that he is correctness itself.
BRACK.
His correctness and respectability are beyond all question.
HEDDA.
And I don’t see anything absolutely ridiculous about him.—Do you?
BRACK.
Ridiculous? N—no—I shouldn’t exactly say so——
HEDDA.
Well—and his powers of research, at all events, are untiring.—I see no
reason why he should not one day come to the front, after all.
BRACK.
[_Looks at her hesitatingly._] I thought that you, like every one else,
expected him to attain the highest distinction.
HEDDA.
[_With an expression of fatigue._] Yes, so I did.—And then, since he was
bent, at all hazards, on being allowed to provide for me—I really don’t
know why I should not have accepted his offer?
BRACK.
No—if you look at it in _that_ light——
HEDDA.
It was more than my other adorers were prepared to do for me, my dear
Judge.
BRACK.
[_Laughing._] Well, I can’t answer for all the rest; but as for myself,
you know quite well that I have always entertained a—a certain respect
for the marriage tie—for marriage as an institution, Mrs. Hedda.
HEDDA.
[_Jestingly._] Oh, I assure you I have never cherished any hopes with
respect to you.
BRACK.
All I require is a pleasant and intimate interior, where I can make
myself useful in every way, and am free to come and go as—as a trusted
friend——
HEDDA.
Of the master of the house, do you mean?
BRACK.
[_Bowing._] Frankly—of the mistress first of all; but of course of the
master too, in the second place. Such a triangular friendship—if I may
call it so—is really a great convenience for all parties, let me tell
you.
HEDDA.
Yes, I have many a time longed for some one to make a third on our
travels. Oh—those railway-carriage _tête-à-têtes_——!
BRACK.
Fortunately your wedding journey is over now.
HEDDA.
[_Shaking her head._] Not by a long—long way. I have only arrived at a
station on the line.
BRACK.
Well, then the passengers jump out and move about a little, Mrs. Hedda.
HEDDA.
I never jump out.
BRACK.
Really?
HEDDA.
No—because there is always some one standing by to——
BRACK.
[_Laughing._] To look at your ankles, do you mean?
HEDDA.
Precisely.
BRACK.
Well but, dear me——
HEDDA.
[_With a gesture of repulsion._] I won’t have it. I would rather keep my
seat where I happen to be—and continue the _tête-à-tête_.
BRACK.
But suppose a third person were to jump in and join the couple.
HEDDA.
Ah—that is quite another matter.
BRACK.
A trusted, sympathetic friend——
HEDDA.
——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.