had a long
struggle. I have had to give up one prejudice after another, to enable
my soul to find itself fully and go forward confidently. It has brought
me to you--and now we will go forward together.

Leonarda. That might have been, without this.

Hagbart. I love you! It is you I have loved in her--since the very first
day. I love you!

Leonarda. Then have respect for me--and go!

Hagbart. Leonarda!

Leonarda. No, no! (Shrinks away from him.) Oh, why did this happen?

Hagbart. It has come upon us step by step. The cruel obstacles in
our way have only proved friends to us, in bringing us together. Give
yourself up to happiness, as I do now!

Leonarda. I do not deserve happiness. I have never expected that.

Hagbart. I don't know what you have gone through to make you what you
are now--so beautiful, so good, so true; but this I do know, that if the
others had not judged you by your failures, I should not have loved you
for what you have achieved. And I thought that might give me some value
in your eyes.

Leonarda. Thank you for that, from my heart!--But the world disapproves
of such things. It disapproves of a young man's making love to an older
woman, and if--

Hagbart. I have never cared much about the world's opinion, even in
the days when I was most hidebound in prejudice. It is your opinion I
want--yours only!

Leonarda. And my answer is that one who is alone can get along without
the world's sympathy--but it is different with a couple. They will soon
feel the cold wind of the world's displeasure blowing between them.

Hagbart. When you answer me, it makes what I have said seem so formal
and ceremonious--so clumsy. But I must just be as I am; I cannot alter
myself. Dearest, from the moment I felt certain that it was you I loved,
only one thing seemed of any importance to me--everything else was
blotted out. And that is why I do not understand what you say. Do you
suppose they will try to make me tire of you? Do you suppose that is
possible?

Leonarda. Not now, but later on. There will come a time--

Hagbart. Yes, a time of work--self-development! It has come now. That
is why I, am here! Perhaps a time of conflict may come too--heaven send
that it may! Are we to pay any heed to that? No! You are free, and I am
free; and our future is in our own hands.

Leonarda. Besides, I have grown old--

Hagbart. You!

Leonarda.--and jealous, and troublesome; while you are the incarnation
of youth and joy.