Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/232

 Stensgård.

Accepted me! In the midst of all this family trouble! How unwomanly! How repellant to any man with the least delicacy of feeling! But the whole thing is a misunderstanding. I never commissioned Bastian How could that idiot? However, it doesn't matter to me; he must answer for his follies himself.

Daniel Heire.

[Enters from the back.] Hee-hee! Quite a gathering! Of course, of course! We are paying our respects, propitiating the powers that be, as the saying goes. May I, too

The Chamberlain.

Thanks, thanks, old friend!

Heire.

Oh, I protest, my dear sir? That is too much condescension. [New Guests arrive.] Ah, here we have the myrmidons of justice—the executiveI say no more. [Goes over to Stensgård.] Ah, my dear fortunate youth, are you there? Your hand! Accept the assurance of an old man's unfeigned rejoicing.

Stensgård.

At what?

Heire.

You asked me yesterday to run you down a little to her—you know

Stensgård.

Yes, yes; what then?

Heire.

It was a heartfelt pleasure to me to oblige you