Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/198

 being overjoyed at the news! But after all—perhaps I had better not say anything to Berta.

Hedda.

Ohwhy not that too?

Tesman.

No, no, not yet! But I must certainly tell Aunt Julia. And then that you have begun to call me George too! Fancy that! Oh, Aunt Julia will be so happy—so happy!

Hedda.

When she hears that I have burnt Eilert Lövborg's manuscript—for your sake?

Tesman.

No, by-the-bye—that affair of the manuscript—of course nobody must know about that. But that you love me so much,[1] Hedda—Aunt Julia must really share my joy in that! I wonder, now, whether this sort of thing is usual in young wives? Eh?

Hedda.

I think you had better ask Aunt Julia that question too.

Tesman.

I will indeed, some time or other. [Looks uneasy and downcast again.] And yet the manuscript—the manuscript! Good God! it is terrible to think what will become of poor Eilert now.

1 Literally, "That you burn for me."