No matter! I have quite other intentions. All that about the letter was only a joke—a wager, as I told you. My dear Mr. Heire, do oblige me by not saying a word to any one of this silly affair. HEIRE. I see, I see! It’s to be kept secret; it’s to be a romance. Ah, youth, youth! it’s nothing if not poetical. STENSGÅRD. Yes, yes; mum’s the word. You shan’t regret it—I’ll take up your cases——Sh! I rely upon you. [_He retires._ THE CHAMBERLAIN. [_Who has meanwhile been talking to_ LUNDESTAD.] No, Lundestad—_that_ I really cannot believe! LUNDESTAD. I assure you, Chamberlain—Daniel Heire told me so himself. HEIRE. What did I tell you, may I inquire? THE CHAMBERLAIN. Did Mr. Stensgård show you a bill yesterday? HEIRE. Yes, by-the-bye——! What on earth was the meaning of all that? THE CHAMBERLAIN. I’ll tell you afterwards. And you told him—— LUNDESTAD. You persuaded him it was a forgery? HEIRE. Pooh, a mere innocent jest, to bewilder him a little in the hour of triumph. LUNDESTAD. And you told him both signatures were forged? HEIRE. Oh yes; why not both while I was about it? THE CHAMBERLAIN. So that was it! LUNDESTAD. [_To the_ CHAMBERLAIN.] And when he heard _that_—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. He gave the bill to Ringdal! LUNDESTAD. The bill that was useless as a weapon of offence. THE CHAMBERLAIN. He shams magnanimity! Makes a fool of me a second time! Gains admission to my house, and makes me welcome him and thank him—this—this——! And this is the fellow—— HEIRE. Why, what are you going on about, my dear sir? THE CHAMBERLAIN. I’ll tell you all about it afterwards. [_Takes LUNDESTAD apart._] And this is the fellow you protect, push forward, help to rise! LUNDESTAD. Well, he took you in, too! THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, I should like to——! LUNDESTAD. [_Pointing to_ STENSGÅRD, _who is speaking to_ THORA.] Look there! What will people be fancying! THE CHAMBERLAIN. I shall soon put a stop to these fancies. LUNDESTAD. Too late, Chamberlain; he’ll worm himself forward by dint of promises and general plausibility—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. I, too, can manœuvre, Mr. Lundestad. LUNDESTAD.