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 pleasure 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.

H