Nonsense! Let me see. [_Looks at the paper and hands it back again._] You can light your cigar with this. STENSGÅRD. What! The drawer’s name too——? HEIRE. A forgery, young man; a forgery, as sure as my name’s Daniel. You have only to look at it with the keen eye of suspicion—— STENSGÅRD. But how can that be? Monsen can’t have known—— HEIRE. Monsen? No, he knows nothing about either his own paper or other people’s. But I’m glad it has come to an end, Mr. Stensgård!—It’s a satisfaction to one’s moral sense. Ah, I have often glowed with a noble indignation, if I may say so, at having to stand by and see——I say no more! But the best of it all is that now Monsen is down he’ll drag young Bratsberg after him; and the son will bring the father down—— STENSGÅRD. Yes, so Lundestad said. HEIRE. But of course there’s method even in bankruptcy. You’ll see; I am an old hand at prophecy. Monsen will go to prison; young Bratsberg will compound with his creditors; and the Chamberlain will be placed under trustees; that’s to say, his creditors will present him with an annuity of a couple of thousand dollars. That’s how things go, Mr. Stensgård; I know it, I know it! What says the classic? _Fiat justitia, pereat mundus_; which means: Fie on what’s called justice in this wicked world, sir! STENSGÅRD. [_Pacing the room._] One after the other! Both ways barred! HEIRE. What the deuce——? STENSGÅRD. And now too! Just at this moment! ASLAKSEN. [_Enters from the right._] I congratulate you, chosen of the people! STENSGÅRD. Elected! ASLAKSEN. Elected by 117 votes, and Lundestad by 53. The rest all nowhere. HEIRE. Your first step on the path of glory, Mr. Stensgård. ASLAKSEN. And it shall cost you a bowl of punch—— HEIRE. Well, it’s the first step that costs, they say. ASLAKSEN. [_Goes off to the left, shouting._] Punch, Madam Rundholmen! A bowl of punch! The chosen of the people stands treat! LUNDESTAD, _and after him several_ ELECTORS, _enter from the right._ HEIRE. [_In a tone of condolence to_ LUNDESTAD.] Fifty-three! That’s the grey-haired patriot’s reward! LUNDESTAD. [_Whispers to_ STENSGÅRD.] Are you firm in your resolve? STENSGÅRD. What’s the use of being firm when everything is tumbling about your ears? LUNDESTAD. Do you think the game is lost? ASLAKSEN.