cy. If you sign it, you will be doing your duty to your
creditors, to your family, and to yourself. Shooting yourself and me
would only be adding an acted lie to all your others. Put away your
revolver and take up your pen!

Tjaelde. Never! I had resolved on this long ago. But you shall keep me
company, now!

Berent. Do what you please. But you cannot threaten me into a falsehood.

Tjaelde (who has lowered the revolver, takes a step back, raises the
revolver and aims at BERENT). Very well!

Berent (walking up to TJAELDE and looking him straight in the eyes,
while the latter reluctantly lowers the revolver). Do you suppose I
don't know that a man who has for so long shivered with falsehood and
terror in his inmost heart has lots of schemes but no courage? You
_dare_ not do it!

Tjaelde (furiously). I will show you! (Steps back and raises the
revolver again.)

Berent (following him). Shoot, and you will hear a report--that is what
you are longing for, I suppose! Or, give up your plan of shooting, think
of what you have done, confess, and afterwards hold your tongue!

Tjaelde. No; may the devil take both you and me--

Berent. And the horse?

Tjaelde. The horse?

Berent. I mean the magnificent charger on which you came galloping home
from the sale of Moeller's estate. You had better let some one shoot
you on horseback--on what was your last and greatest piece of business
duplicity! (Goes nearer to him and speaks more quietly.) Or--strip
yourself of the tissue of lies which enfolds you, and your bankruptcy
will bring you more blessing than your riches have ever done. (TJAELDE
lets the revolver drop out of his hand, and sinks into a chair in an
outburst of tears. There is silence for a moment.) You have made an
amazing fight of it for these last three years. I do not believe I know
any one who could have done what you have done. But you have lost the
fight this time. Do not shrink now from a final settlement and the pain
that it must cost you. Nothing else will cleanse your soul for you.

Tjaelde (weeping unrestrainedly, with his face buried in his hands). Oh,
oh!

Berent. You have blamed me for my method of proceeding in the matter.
My answer to that is that I forgive you for yours. (A pause.) Try now to
look the situation in the face, and take it like a man.

Tjaelde (as before). Oh!

Berent. At the bottom of your heart you must be weary of it all; make an
end of it all now!

Tjaelde (as before). Oh!