STENSGÅRD. Another time; you can wait outside. ASLAKSEN. No, confound it; I must tell you—— STENSGÅRD. Hold your tongue! What intrusiveness is this?—Yes, gentlemen, strange are the ways of destiny. The district and I required a bond that should bind us firmly together; and I found on my path a woman of ripened character who could make a home for me. I have put off the adventurer, gentlemen, and here I stand in your midst, as one of yourselves. Take me; I am ready to stand or fall in any post your confidence may assign me. LUNDESTAD. You have won. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Well, really, I must say——[_To the_ MAID, _who has entered from the back._] Well, what is it? What are you giggling about? THE SERVANT. Madam Rundholmen——? THE COMPANY. Madam Rundholmen? THE CHAMBERLAIN. What about her? THE SERVANT. Madam Rundholmen is waiting outside with her young man—— THE COMPANY. [_To each other._] Her young man? Madam Rundholmen! How’s this? STEANSGÅRD. What nonsense! ASLAKSEN. Yes, I was just telling you—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. [_At the door._] Come along, come along! BASTIAN MONSEN, _with_ MADAM RUNDHOLMEN _on his arm, enters from the back. A general movement._ MADAM RUNDHOLMEN. I hope I’m not intruding, sir—— THE CHAMBERLAIN. Not at all, not at all. MADAM RUNDHOLMEN. But I couldn’t resist bringing up my young man to show him to you and Miss Bratsberg. THE CHAMBERLAIN. Yes, I hear you are engaged; but—— THORA. We didn’t know—— STENSGÅRD. [_To Aslaksen._] How is all this——? ASLAKSEN. I had so much in my head yesterday; so much to think about, I mean—— STENSGÅRD. But I gave her my letter, and—— ASLAKSEN. No, you gave her Bastian Monsen’s; here is yours. STENSGÅRD. Bastian’s? And here——? [_Glances at the address, crumples the letter together, and crams it into his pocket._] Oh, curse you for a blunderer! MADAM RUNDHOLMEN. Of course I was willing enough. There’s no trusting the men-folk, I know; but when you have it in black and white that their intentions are honourable——Why, there’s Mr. Stensgård, I declare. Well, Mr. Stensgård, won’t you congratulate me? HEIRE. [_To_ LUNDESTAD.] How hungrily she glares at him. THE CHAMBERLAIN.