doubting was not dreaming;
We'll go this very moment and confess.

[They approach MRS. HALM, who is standing with Miss Jay
by the house.

GULDSTAD [conversing with STIVER].
'Tis a fine evening.

STIVER.
Very likely,--when
A man's disposed--

GULDSTAD [facetiously].
What, all not running smooth
In true love's course?

STIVER.
Not that exactly--

FALK [coming up].
Then
With your engagement?

STIVER.
That's about the truth.

FALK.
Hurrah! Your spendthrift pocket has a groat
Or two still left, it seems, of poetry.

STIVER [stiffly].
I cannot see what poetry has got
To do with my engagement, or with me.

FALK.
You are not meant to see; when lovers prove
What love is, all is over with their love.

GULDSTAD [to STIVER].
But if there's matter for adjustment, pray
Let's hear it.

STIVER.
I've been pondering all day
Whether the thing is proper to disclose,
But still the Ayes are balanced by the Noes.

FALK.
I'll right you in one sentence. Ever since
As plighted lover you were first installed,
You've felt yourself, if I may say so, galled--

STIVER.
And sometimes to the quick.

FALK.
You've had to wince
Beneath a crushing load of obligations
That you'd send packing, if good form permitted.
That's what's the matter.

STIVER.
Monstrous accusations!
My legal debts I've honestly acquitted;
But other bonds next month are falling due;
[To GULDSTAD.
When a man weds, you see, he gets a wife--

FALK [triumphant].
Now your youth's heaven once again is blue;
There rang an echo from your old song-life!
That's how it is: I read you thro' and thro';
Wings, wings were all you wanted,--and a knife!

STIVER.
A knife?

FALK.
Yes, Resolution's knife, to sever
Each captive bond, and set you free for ever,
To soar--

STIVER [angrily].
Nay, now you're insolent beyond
Endurance! Me to charge with violation
Of law,--me, me with plotting to abscond!
It's libellous, malicious defamation,
Insult and calumny--

FALK.
Are you insane?
What is all this about? Explain! Explain!

GULDSTAD [laughingly to STIVER].
Yes, clear your mind of all this balderdash!
What do you want?

STIVER [pulling himself together].