FALK. Let blindness veil the sunlight from mine eyes, I’ll chant the splendour of the sunlit skies! Just for a season let me beg or borrow A great, a crushing, a stupendous sorrow, And soon you’ll hear my hymns of gladness rise! But best, Miss Jay, to nerve my wings for flight, Find me a maid to be my life, my light— For that incitement long to Heaven I’ve pleaded; But hitherto, worse luck, it hasn’t heeded. MISS JAY. What levity! MRS. HALM. Yes, most irreverent! FALK. Pray don’t imagine it was my intent To live with her on bread and cheese and kisses. No! just upon the threshold of our blisses, Kind Heaven must snatch away the gift it lent. I need a little spiritual gymnastic; The dose in that form surely would be drastic. SVANHILD. [_Has during the talk approached; she stands close to the table, and says in a determined but whimsical tone:_ I’ll pray that such may be your destiny. But, when it finds you—bear it like a man. FALK [_turning round in surprise_]. Miss Svanhild!—well, I’ll do the best I can. But think you I may trust implicitly To finding your petitions efficacious? Heaven, as you know, to faith alone is gracious— And though you’ve doubtless will enough for two To make me bid my peace of mind adieu, Have you the faith to carry matters through? That is the question. SVANHILD [_half in jest_]. Wait till sorrow comes, And all your being’s springtide chills and numbs, Wait till it gnaws and rends you, soon and late, Then tell me if my faith is adequate. [_She goes across to the ladies._ MRS. HALM [_aside to her_]. Can you two never be at peace? you’ve made Poor Mr. Falk quite angry, I’m afraid. [_Continues reprovingly in a low voice._ MISS JAY _joins in the conversation._ SVANHILD _remains cold and silent._ FALK [_after a pause of reflection goes over to the summer-house, then to himself_]. With fullest confidence her glances lightened. Shall I believe, as she does so securely, That Heaven intends— GULDSTAD.