Love's Comedy - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel Love's Comedy Part 37 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
[MRS. HALM, LIND, ANNA, GULDSTAD, and MISS JAY, with the other guests, come out. All eyes are turned upon FALK and SVANHILD. General amazement when they are seen standing apart.
MISS JAY [among the AUNTS, clasping her hands].
What! Am I awake or dreaming, pray?
LIND [who has noticed nothing].
I have a brother's compliments to pay.
[He, with the other guests, approaches FALK, but starts involuntarily and steps back on looking at him.
What is the matter with you? You're a Ja.n.u.s With double face!
FALK [smiling].
I cry, like old Monta.n.u.s,(6) The earth is flat, Messieurs;--by optics lied; Flat as a pancake--are you satisfied?
[Goes quickly out to the right.
MISS JAY.
Refused!
THE AUNTS.
Refused!
MRS. HALM.
Hush, ladies, if you please!
[Goes across to SVANHILD.
MRS. STRAWMAN [to STRAWMAN].
Fancy, refused!
STRAWMAN.
It cannot be!
MISS JAY.
It is!
THE LADIES [from mouth to mouth].
Refused! Refused! Refused!
[They gather in little groups about the garden.
STIVER [dumfounded].
He courting? How?
STRAWMAN.
Yes, think! He laugh'd at us, ha, ha--but now--
[They gaze at each other speechless.
ANNA [to LIND].
That's good! He was too horrid, to be sure!
LIND [embracing her].
Hurrah, now thou art mine, entire and whole.
[They go outside into the garden.
GULDSTAD [looking back towards SVANHILD].
Something is shattered in a certain soul; But what is yet alive in it I'll cure.
STRAWMAN [recovering himself and embracing STIVER].
Now then, you can be very well contented To have your dear _fiancee_ for a spouse.
STIVER.
And you complacently can see your house With little Strawmans every year augmented.
STRAWMAN [Rubbing his hands with satisfaction and looking after FALK].
Insolent fellow! Well, it served him right;-- Would all these knowing knaves were in his plight!
[They go across in conversation; MRS. HALM approaches with SVANHILD.
MRS. HALM [aside eagerly].
And nothing binds you?
SVANHILD.
Nothing.
MRS. HALM.
Good, you know A daughter's duty--
SVANHILD.
Guide me, I obey.
MRS. HALM.
Thanks, child. [Pointing to GULDSTAD.
He is rich and _comme il faut Parti_; and since there's nothing in the way--
SVANHILD.
Yes, there is one condition I require!-- To leave this place.
MRS. HALM.
Precisely his desire.
SVANHILD.
And time--
MRS. HALM.
How long? Bethink you, fortune's calling!
SVANHILD [with a quiet smile].
