RAGNA. [_Shrinking back shyly._] Oh, no, no; there are so many people. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Don’t be bashful; you couldn’t help what has happened. HELLE. She is homeless now, Chamberlain. RAGNA. Oh, you must help us! THE CHAMBERLAIN. I will, indeed; and thank you for giving me the opportunity. HEIRE. You may well say engagements are the order of the day. I have one to add to the list. THE CHAMBERLAIN. What? You? At your age?—How rash of you! HEIRE. Oh—! I say no more. LUNDESTAD. The game is up, Mr. Stensgård. STENSGÅRD. Indeed? [_Loudly._] _I_ have one to add to the list, Mr. Heire! An announcement, gentlemen: I too have cast anchor for life. THE CHAMBERLAIN. What? STENSGÅRD. One is now and then forced to play a double game, to conceal one’s true intentions. I regard this as permissible when the general weal is at stake. My life-work lies clear before me, and is all in all to me. I consecrate my whole energies to this district; I find here a ferment of ideas which I must strive to clarify. But this task cannot be accomplished by a mere adventurer. The men of the district must gather round one of themselves. Therefore I have determined to unite my interests indissolubly with yours—to unite them by a bond of affection. If I have awakened any false hopes, I must plead for forgiveness. I too am engaged. THE CHAMBERLAIN. You? FIELDBO. Engaged? HEIRE. I can bear witness. THE CHAMBERLAIN. But how——? FIELDBO. Engaged? To whom? LUNDESTAD. It surely can’t be——? STENSGÅRD. It is a union both of the heart and of the understanding. Yes, my fellow citizens, I am engaged to Madam Rundholmen. FIELDBO. To Madam Rundholmen! THE CHAMBERLAIN. The storekeeper’s widow! LUNDESTAD. H’m. Indeed! THE CHAMBERLAIN. Why, my head’s going round! How could you——? STENSGÅRD. A manœuvre, Mr. Bratsberg! LUNDESTAD. He has rare abilities! ASLAKSEN. [_Looks in at the door, back._] I humbly beg pardon—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. Oh, come in, Aslaksen! A visit of congratulation, eh? ASLAKSEN. Oh, not at all; I wouldn’t presume——But I have something very important to say to Mr. Stensgård.