HEDDA.
Perhaps you would prefer to talk to her alone? If so, I will leave you.
LOVBORG.
No, stay — you too. I beg you to stay.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, but I won't hear anything, I tell you.
LOVBORG.
It is not last night's adventures that I want to talk about.
MRS. ELVSTED.
What is it then — -?
LOVBORG.
I want to say that now our ways must part.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Part!
HEDDA.
[Involuntarily.] I knew it!
LOVBORG.
You can be of no more service to me, Thea.
MRS. ELVSTED.
How can you stand there and say that! No more service to you! Am I not to help you now, as before? Are we not to go on working together?
LOVBORG.
Henceforward I shall do no work.
MRS. ELVSTED.
[Despairingly.] Then what am I to do with my life?
LOVBORG.
You must try to live your life as if you had never know me.
MRS. ELVSTED.
But you know I cannot do that!
LOVBORG.
Try if you cannot, Thea. You must go home again — -
MRS. ELVSTED.
[In vehement protest.] Never in this world! Where you are, there will I be also! I will not let myself be driven away like this! I will remain here! I will be with you when the book appears.
HEDDA.
[Half aloud, in suspense.] Ah yes — the book!
LOVBORG.
[Looks at her.] My book and Thea's; for that is what it is.
MRS. ELVSTED.
Yes, I feel that it is. And that is why I have a right to be with you when it appears! I will see with my own eyes how respect and honour pour in upon you afresh. And the happiness — the happiness — oh, I must share it with you!
LOVBORG.
Thea — our book will never appear.
HEDDA.
Ah!
MRS. ELVSTED.
Never appear!
LOVBORG.
Can never appear.
