_Hedda_. Tired of dancing, my dear, that's all. And then I used TESMAN to take me home from parties; and we saw this villa; and I said I liked it, and so did he; and so we found some common ground, and here we are, do you see! And I loathe TESMAN, and I don't even like the villa now; and I do feel the want of an entertaining companion so! [Illustration: "I am a Norwegian literary man, and peculiar."] _Brack_. Try me. Just the kind of three-cornered arrangement that I like. Let me be the third person in the compartment--(_confidentially_)--the tried friend, and, generally speaking, cock of the walk! _Hedda_ (_audibly drawing in her breath_). I cannot resist your polished way of putting things. We will conclude a triple alliance. But hush!--here comes TESMAN. [_Enter GEORGE, with a number of books under his arm._ _George_. Puff! I _am_ hot, HEDDA. I've been looking into LÖVBORG's new book. Wonderfully thoughtful--confound him! But I must go and dress for your party, Judge. [_He goes out._ _Hedda_. I wish I could get TESMAN to take to politics, Judge. Couldn't he be a Cabinet Minister, or something? _Brack_. H'm! [_A short pause; both look at one another, without speaking. Enter GEORGE, in evening dress, with gloves._ _George_. It is afternoon, and your party is at half-past seven--but I like to dress early. Fancy that! And I am expecting LÖVBORG. [_EJLERT LÖVBORG comes in from the hall; he is worn and pale, with red patches on his cheek-bones, and wears an elegant perfectly new visiting-suit, and black gloves._ _George_. Welcome! (_Introduces him to BRACK._) Listen--I have got your new book, but I haven't read it through yet. _Lövborg_. You needn't--it's rubbish. (_Takes a packet of MSS. out._) This _isn't_. It's in three parts; the first about the civilising forces of the future, the second about the future of the civilising forces, and the third about the forces of the future civilisation. I thought I'd read you a little of it this evening? _Brack and George_ (_hastily_). Awfully nice of you--but there's a little party this evening--so sorry we can't stop! Won't you come too? _Hedda_. No, he must stop and read it to me and Mrs. ELVSTED instead. _George_. It would never have occurred to me to think of such clever things! Are you going to oppose me for the Professorship, eh? _Lövborg_ (_modestly_). No; I shall only triumph over you in the popular judgment--that's all! _George_. Oh, is that all? Fancy! Let us go into the back drawing-room and drink cold punch. _Lövborg_. Thanks--but I am a reformed character, and have renounced cold punch--it is poison. [_GEORGE and BRACK go into the back-room and drink punch, whilst HEDDA shows LÖVBORG a photograph album in the front._