Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/199

 Mrs. Elvsted, dressed as in the first Act, with hat and cloak, enters by the hall door.

Mrs. Elvsted.

[Greets them hurriedly, and says in evident agitation.] Oh, dear Hedda, forgive my coming again.

Hedda.

What is the matter with you, Thea?

Tesman.

Something about Eilert Lövborg again—eh?

Mrs. Elvsted.

Yes! I am dreadfully afraid some misfortune has happened to him.

Hedda.

[Seizes her arm.] Ah,—do you think so!

Tesman.

Why, good Lord—what makes you think that, Mrs. Elvsted?

Mrs. Elvsted.

I heard them talking of him at my boarding-house—just as I came in. Oh, the most incredible rumours are afloat about him to-day.

Tesman.

Yes, fancy, so I heard too! And I can bear witness that he went straight home to bed last night. Fancy that!

Hedda.

Well, what did they say at the boarding-house?