[_Looks smilingly at him._] Do you know, Karsten, you have made me feel happier and more hopeful than I have felt for many years? BERNICK. How so? MRS. BERNICK. For many years I have thought that you had once been mine, and I had lost you. Now I know that you never were mine; but I shall win you. BERNICK. [_Embracing her._] Oh, Betty, you _have_ won me! Through Lona I have at last learnt really to know you. But now let Olaf come. MRS. BERNICK. Yes, now you shall have him. Mr. Krap——! [_She whispers to him him the background. He goes out by the garden door. During the following all the transparencies and lights in the houses are gradually extinguished._ BERNICK. [_Softly._] Thanks, Lona; you have saved what is best in me—and for me. LONA. What else did I intend? BERNICK. Yes, what—what did you intend? I cannot fathom you. LONA. H’m—— BERNICK. It was not hatred then? Not revenge? Why did you come over? LONA. Old friendship does not rust. BERNICK. Lona! LONA. When Johan told me all that about the lie, I swore to myself: The hero of my youth shall stand free and true. BERNICK. Oh, how little has a pitiful creature like me deserved this of you! LONA. Yes, if we women always asked for deserts, Karsten——! AUNE _and_ OLAF _enter from the garden._ BERNICK. [_Rushing to him._] Olaf! OLAF. Father, I promise never to do it again. BERNICK. To run away? OLAF. Yes, yes, I promise, father. BERNICK. And I promise that you shall never have reason to. In future you shall be allowed to grow up, not as the heir to my life-work, but as one who has a life-work of his own to look forward to. OLAF. And will you let me be whatever I want to? BERNICK. Whatever you like. OLAF. Thank you, father. Then I won’t be a pillar of society. BERNICK. Ah! Why not? OLAF. Oh, I think it must be so tiresome. BERNICK. You shall be yourself, Olaf; and we won’t trouble about anything else. And you, Aune—— AUNE. I know it, Consul: I am dismissed. BERNICK. We will not part company, Aune; and forgive me——