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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.
LOVBORG.
[Eagerly.] Well?
HEDDA.
The fact that I dared not shoot you down---
LOVBORG.
Yes!
HEDDA.
---that was not my arrant cowardice--that evening.
LOVBORG.
[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(11) 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 LOVBORG 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 LOVBORG.] Not you?
LOVBORG.
No.
HEDDA.
Mr. Lovborg 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. LOVBORG re-seats himself on his chair.
LOVBORG.
[After a short pause, to HEDDA.] Is not she lovely to look at?
HEDDA.
[Lightly stroking her hair.] Only to look at!
LOVBORG.
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. Lovborg?
LOVBORG.
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?
LOVBORG.
And then she is so brave, Mrs. Tesman!
MRS. ELVSTED.
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