[_He lights a candle, and goes out; presently his footsteps are heard overhead, as he undresses._ REBECCA _pulls a bell-rope._ REBECCA. [_To_ MADAM HELSETH, _who enters with dishes._] No, Mr. Rosmer will not have supper to-night. [_In a lighter tone._] Perhaps he is afraid of the nightmare. There are so many sorts of White Horses in this world! MADAM HELSETH. [_Shaking._] Lord! lord! that Miss West--the things she does say! [REBECCA _goes out through door, knitting antimacassar thoughtfully, as Curtain falls._ * * * * * ACT SECOND ROSMER'S _study. Doors and windows, bookshelves, a writing-table. Door, with curtain, leading to_ ROSMER'S _bedroom._ ROSMER _discovered in a smoking jacket cutting a pamphlet with a paper-knife. There is a knock at the door._ ROSMER _says "Come in."_ REBECCA _enters in a morning wrapper and curl-papers. She sits on a chair close to_ ROSMER, _and looks over his shoulder as he cuts the leaves._ RECTOR KROLL _is shown up._ KROLL. [_Lays his hat on the table and looks at_ REBECCA _from head to foot._] I am really afraid that I am in the way. REBECCA. [_Surprised._] Because I am in my morning wrapper and curl-papers? You forget that I am _emancipated_, Rector Kroll. [_She leaves them and listens behind curtain in_ ROSMER'S _bedroom_. ROSMER. Yes, Miss West and I have worked our way forward in faithful comradeship. KROLL. [_Shakes his head at him slowly._] So I perceive. Miss West is naturally inclined to be forward. But, I say, _really_ you know----However, I came to tell you that poor Beata was not so mad as she looked, though flowers _did_ bewilder her so. [_Taking off his gloves meaningly._] She jumped into the mill-race because she had an idea that you ought to marry Miss West! [Illustration: "Taking off his gloves meaningly."] ROSMER. [_Jumps half up from his chair._] I? Marry--Miss West! My good gracious, Kroll! I don't _understand_, it is _most_ incomprehensible. [_Looks fixedly before him._] How _can_ people?----[_Looks at him for a moment, then rises._] Will you get out? [_Still quiet and self-restrained._] But first tell me why you never mentioned this before? KROLL. Why? Because I thought you were both orthodox, which made all the difference. Now I know that you side with Laurits and Hilda, and mean to make the democracy into noblemen, and accordingly I intend to make it hot for you in my paper. _Good_ morning! [_He slams the door with spite as_ REBECCA _enters from bedroom._ ROSMER. [_As if surprised._] You--in my bedroom! You have been listening, dear? But you _are_ so emancipated.