_Lövborg_ (_slowly, in a low tone_). HEDDA GABLER! how _could_ you throw yourself away like this!--Oh, is _that_ the ORTLER Group? Beautiful!--Have you forgotten how we used to sit on the settee together behind an illustrated paper, and--yes, very picturesque peaks--I told you all about how I had been on the loose? _Hedda_. Now, none of that, here! These are the Dolomites.--Yes, I remember; it was a beautiful fascinating Norwegian intimacy--but it's over now. See, we spent a night in that little mountain village, TESMAN and I! _Lövborg_. Did you, indeed? Do you remember that delicious moment when you threatened to shoot me down--(_tenderly_)--I do! _Hedda_ (_carelessly_). Did I? I have done that to so many people. But now all that is past, and you have found the loveliest consolation in dear, good, little Mrs. ELVSTED--ah, here she is! (_Enter_ Mrs. ELVSTED.) Now, THEA, sit down and drink up a good glass of cold punch. Mr. LÖVBORG is going to have some. If you don't, Mr. LÖVBORG, GEORGE and the Judge will think you are afraid of taking too much if you once begin. _Mrs. E._ Oh, please, HEDDA! When I've inspired Mr. LÖVBORG so--good gracious! _don't_ make him drink cold punch! _Hedda_. You see, Mr. LÖVBORG, our dear little friend can't _trust_ you! _Lövborg_. So _that_ is my comrade's faith in me! (_Gloomily._) _I_'ll show her if I am to be trusted or not. (_He drinks a glass of punch_.) Now I'll go to the Judge's party. I'll have another glass first. Your health, THEA! So you came up to spy on me, eh? I'll drink the Sheriff's health--_everybody's_ health! [_He tries to get more punch._ _Hedda_ (_stopping him_). No more now. You are going to a party, remember. [GEORGE _and_ TESMAN _come in from back-room._ _Lövborg._ Don't be angry, THEA. I was fallen for a moment. Now I'm up again! (Mrs. E. _beams with delight_). Judge, I'll come to your party, as you _are_ so pressing, and I'll read GEORGE my manuscript all the evening. I'll do all in _my_ power to make that party go! _George_. No? fancy! that _will_ be amusing! _Hedda_. There, go away, you wild rollicking creatures! But Mr. LÖVBORG must be back at ten, to take dear THEA home! _Mrs. E._ Oh, goodness, yes! (_In concealed agony._) Mr. LÖVBORG, I shan't go away till you do! [_The three men go out laughing merrily; the Act-drop is lowered for a minute; when it is raised, it is 7 A.M., and Mrs. ELVSTED and HEDDA are discovered sitting up, with rugs around them._ _Mrs. E._ (_wearily_). Seven in the morning, and Mr. LÖVBORG not here to take me home _yet_! what _can_ he be doing? _Hedda_ (_yawning_). Reading to TESMAN, with vine-leaves in his hair, I suppose. Perhaps he has got to the third part. _Mrs. E._ Oh, do you _really_ think so, HEDDA? Oh, if I could but hope he was doing that! _Hedda_. You silly little ninny! I should like to scorch your hair off. Go to bed! [Mrs. E. _goes. Enter_ GEORGE.