y for it, of course!

Alfred. How do you know that?

Svava. Because I know that at that time I was quite another girl from
what I am now.

Alfred. But there is a natural affinity between those that love one
another. I am sure of it. And it was just its much the case at that
time, surely?

Svava. We do not feel the natural affinity as long as we are developing
on different lines.

Alfred. Have we been doing that? And nevertheless we--

Svava. Nevertheless we love one another. Our paths may be as unlike as
they please, if only they lead together in the end.

Alfred. To the same way of thinking, you mean?

Svava. Yes, to our being such comrades as we are now.

Alfred. Such true comrades?

Svava. Such true comrades!

Alfred. Still, it is just at moments like this, when I hold you in my
arms as I do now, that I ask myself over and over again why I did not do
this long ago.

Svava. Oh, I don't think about that--not the least bit! It is the safest
place in the world--that is what I think!

Alfred. Perhaps before this year it would not have been so.

Svava. What do you mean?

Alfred. I mean--well, I mean practically the same as you; that I have
not always been the man I am now.--But I must hurry away. The letter
says it is something urgent. (They cross the room together.)

Svava. One minute won't make any difference, will it?--because there is
something I must say to you first.

Alfred (standing still). What is it?

Svava. When I saw you standing amongst all the others yesterday, I felt
for the first moment as if I did not know you. Some change seemed to
have come over you--the effect of the others, perhaps--anyway you really
_were_ actually different.

Alfred. Of course. People always are that, among strangers. When you
came in with the ladies, it just seemed to me as if I had never observed
you carefully before. Besides, there are certain things one cannot know
till one sees a person amongst others. It was the first time I realised
how tall you are--and your way of bending just a tiny bit to one side
when you bow to any one. And your colouring! I had never properly seen--

Svava. Do be quiet, and let me get a word in!

Alfred. No, no! Here we are, back in the room--and I _must_ be off now!

Svava. Only just a moment. You interrupted me, you know! When I saw you
standing there among the men for the first moment I felt just as if
I did not know you. But at the same moment you caught sight of me and