Come then, and blow thy worst, thou winter weather! We stand unshaken, for we stand together! [MRS. HALM _and_ GULDSTAD _come in from the right in the background._ GULDSTAD [aside]. Observe! [FALK _and_ SVANHILD _remain standing by the summer-house._ MRS. HALM [_surprised_]. Together! GULDSTAD. Do you doubt it now? MRS. HALM. This is most singular. GULDSTAD. O, I’ve noted how His work of late absorb’d his interest. MRS. HALM [_to herself_]. Who would have fancied Svanhild was so sly? [_Vivaciously to_ GULDSTAD. But no—I can’t think. GULDSTAD. Put it to the test. MRS. HALM. Now, on the spot? GULDSTAD Yes, and decisively! MRS. HALM [_giving him her hand_]. God’s blessing with you! GULDSTAD [_gravely_]. Thanks, it may bestead. [_Comes to the front._ MRS. HALM [_looking back as she goes towards the house_]. Whichever way it goes, my child is sped. [_Goes in._ GULDSTAD [_approaching FALK_]. It’s late, I think? FALK. Ten minutes and I go. GULDSTAD. Sufficient for my purpose. SVANHILD [_going_]. Farewell. GULDSTAD. No, Remain. SVANHILD. Shall I? GULDSTAD. Until you’ve answered me. It’s time we squared accounts. It’s time we three Talked out for once together from the heart. FALK [_taken aback_]. We three? GULDSTAD. Yes,—all disguises flung apart. FALK [_suppressing a smile_]. O, at your service. GULDSTAD. Very good, then hear. We’ve been acquainted now for half a year; We’ve wrangled— FALK. Yes. GULDSTAD.