is he not fond of you all the same? In his own way?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh I really don't know. I think he regards me simply as a useful
property. And then it doesn't cost much to keep me. I am not expensive.

HEDDA.

That is stupid of you.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[Shakes her head.] It cannot be otherwise--not with him. I don't think
he really cares for any one but himself--and perhaps a little for the
children.

HEDDA.

And for Eilert Lovborg, Thea?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[Looking at her.] For Eilert Lovborg? What puts that into your head?

HEDDA.

Well, my dear--I should say, when he sends you after him all the way
to town-- [Smiling almost imperceptibly.] And besides, you said so
yourself, to Tesman.

MRS. ELVSTED.

[With a little nervous twitch.] Did I? Yes, I suppose I did.
[Vehemently, but not loudly.] No--I may just as well make a clean breast
of it at once! For it must all come out in any case.

HEDDA.

Why, my dear Thea--?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Well, to make a long story short: My husband did not know that I was
coming.

HEDDA.

What! Your husband didn't know it!

MRS. ELVSTED.

No, of course not. For that matter, he was away from home himself--
he was travelling. Oh, I could bear it no longer, Hedda! I couldn't
indeed--so utterly alone as I should have been in future.

HEDDA.

Well? And then?

MRS. ELVSTED.

So I put together some of my things--what I needed most--as quietly as
possible. And then I left the house.

HEDDA.

Without a word?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes--and took the train to town.

HEDDA.

Why, my dear, good Thea--to think of you daring to do it!

MRS. ELVSTED.

[Rises and moves about the room.] What else could I possibly do?

HEDDA.

But what do you think your husband will say when you go home again?

MRS. ELVSTED.

[At the table, looks at her.] Back to him?

HEDDA.

Of course.

MRS. ELVSTED.

I shall never go back to him again.

HEDDA.

[Rising and going towards her.] Then you have left your home--for good
and all?

MRS. ELVSTED.

Yes. There was nothing else to be done.

HEDDA.

But then--to take flight so openly.

MRS. ELVSTED.

Oh, it's impossible to keep things of that sort secret.

HEDDA.

But what do you think people will say of you, Thea?

MRS. ELVSTED.

They may say what they like, for aught _I_ care. [Seats herself wearily
and sadly on the sofa.] I have done nothing but what I had to