I have a brother’s compliments to pay. [_He, with the other guests, approaches_ FALK, _but starts involuntarily and steps back on looking at him._ What is the matter with you? You’re a Janus With double face! FALK [_smiling_]. I cry, like old Montanus, The earth is flat, Messieurs;—my optics lied; Flat as a pancake—are you satisfied? [_Goes quickly out to the right._ MISS JAY. Refused! THE AUNTS. Refused! MRS. HALM. Hush, ladies, if you please! [_Goes across to_ SVANHILD. MRS. STRAWMAN [_to STRAWMAN_]. Fancy, refused! STRAWMAN. It cannot be! MISS JAY. It is! THE LADIES [_from mouth to mouth_]. Refused! Refused! Refused! [_They gather in little groups about the garden._ STIVER [_dumfounded_]. _He_ courting? How? STRAWMAN. Yes, think! He laugh’d at us, ha, ha—but now— [_They gaze at each other speechless._ ANNA [_to_ LIND]. That’s good! He was too horrid, to be sure! LIND [_embracing her_]. Hurrah, now thou art mine, entire and whole. [_They go outside into the garden._ GULDSTAD [_looking back towards_ SVANHILD]. Something is shattered in a certain soul; But what is yet alive in it I’ll cure. STRAWMAN [_recovering himself and embracing_ STIVER]. Now then, you can be very well contented To have your dear _fiancée_ for a spouse. STIVER. And you complacently can see your house With little Strawmans every year augmented. STRAWMAN [_Rubbing his hands with satisfaction and looking after_ FALK. Insolent fellow! Well, it served him right;— Would all these knowing knaves were in his plight! [_They go across in conversation_; MRS. HALM _approaches with_ SVANHILD. MRS. HALM [_aside, eagerly_]. And nothing binds you? SVANHILD. Nothing. MRS. HALM. Good, you know A daughter’s duty—