nodded. I don't know what sort of a transformation came over us both;
but I felt myself blushing as red as fire. And it was some time before I
had the courage to look at you again.

Alfred. Well, do you know what happened to me? Every time any one came
to dance with you, didn't I envy him! Oh, not at all!--To tell you
the truth, I cannot bear any one else to touch you. (Clasps her in his
arms.) And I have not told you the best part of it yet.

Svava. What is that?

Alfred. That when I see you amongst other people, and catch--say--a
glimpse of your arm, I think to myself: That arm has been round my neck
and round no one else's in the whole world! She is mine, mine, mine--and
no one else's!--There, that is the best part of it all!--Look here, here
we are back again in the room! It is witchcraft! Now I must go. (Crosses
the room.) Good-bye! (Lets her go, then catches hold of her again.) Why
didn't I find my happiness many years ago?--Good-bye!

Svava. I think I will come with you.

Alfred. Yes, do!

Svava. No, I forgot--I must learn this song before father comes back. If
I don't learn it now, I expect you will take care I don't do so to-day.
(A ring is heard at the front door.)

Alfred. Here is some one coming! Let me get away first. (Hurries out to
the right. SVAVA stands waving her hand to him, then turns to the piano.
The maid MARGIT enters.)

Margit. A gentleman has called, miss, who wants to know if--

Svava. A gentleman? Don't you know who he is?

Margit. No, miss.

Svava. What is he like?

Margit. He looks rather--

Svava. Rather suspicious?

Margit. No, far from it, miss--a very nice gentleman.

Svava. Tell him my father is not at home; he has gone down to the
station.

Margit. I told him so, miss, but it is you he wants to see.

Svava. Ask my mother to come in here!--Oh, no, why should she! Let him
come in. (MARGIT shows in HOFF, and goes out.)

Hoff. Is it Miss Riis I have the honour to--? Yes, I see it is. My name
is Hoff--Karl Hoff. I am a commercial traveller--travel in iron.

Svava. But what has that to do with me?

Hoff. Just this much, that if I had been an ordinary stay-at-home man, a
great many things would not have happened.

Svava. What would not have happened?

Hoff (taking a large pocket-book out of his docket, and extracting a
letter from it). Will you condescend to read this? Or perhaps you would
rather not?

Svava. How can I tell?

Hoff. Of course, you must first--Al