Against malicious people who are slandering you. STENSGÅRD. Why, let them—so long as _one_ person doesn’t believe their slanders. MADAM RUNDHOLMEN. And who may that one person be? STENSGÅRD. [_Slips the letter into her hand._] Take this; read it when you are alone. MADAM RUNDHOLMEN. Ah, I knew it! [_Goes off to the left._ RINGDAL. [_Enters from the right._] Well, I hear you have won a brilliant victory, Mr. Stensgård. STENSGÅRD. Yes, I have, Mr. Ringdal, in spite of your noble chief’s endeavours. RINGDAL. His endeavours? What to do? STENSGÅRD. To keep me out. RINGDAL. Like other people, he has a right to vote as he pleases. STENSGÅRD. It’s a pity he is not likely to retain that right for long. RINGDAL. What do you mean? STENSGÅRD. I mean, since his affairs are not so straight as they might be—— RINGDAL. His affairs! What affairs? What have you got into your head? STENSGÅRD. Oh, you needn’t pretend ignorance. Isn’t there a storm brewing?—a great crash impending? RINGDAL. Yes, so I hear on all sides. STENSGÅRD. And aren’t both the Bratsbergs involved in it? RINGDAL. My dear sir, are you crazy? STENSGÅRD. Oh, you naturally want to keep it dark. RINGDAL. What good would that be? That sort of thing can’t be kept dark. STENSGÅRD. Is it not true then? RINGDAL. Not a word of it, so far as the Chamberlain is concerned. How could you believe such nonsense? Who has been humbugging you? STENSGÅRD. I won’t tell you just yet. RINGDAL. Well, you needn’t; but whoever it was must have had a motive. STENSGÅRD. A motive—-! RINGDAL. Yes, just think: is there no one who has an interest in keeping you and the Chamberlain apart? STENSGÅRD. Yes, on my soul, but there is though! RINGDAL. The Chamberlain in reality thinks very highly of you—— STENSGÅRD. Does he? RINGDAL. Yes, and that’s why people want to make mischief between you. They reckon on your ignorance of the situation, on your impulsiveness and your confiding disposition—— STENSGÅRD.