Laura (in a frightened voice). I? Mathilde (to AXEL). Laura has something she wants to tell you. Laura. Mathilde! Axel. This is something new. Laura. Oh, do tell him, Mathilde. (MATHILDE says nothing, but goes to the back of the room.) Axel (coming up to her). What is it? Laura (timidly). My parents are coming. Axel. Here? Laura. Yes. Axel. When? To-day? Laura. Yes. Almost directly. Axel. And no one has told me! (Takes up his hat to go.) Laura (frightened). Axel! Axel. It is certainly not for the pleasure of finding me here that they are coming. Laura. But you mustn't go! Mathilde. No, you mustn't do that. Axel. Are they not going to put up here? Laura. Yes, I thought--if you are willing--in your room. Axel. So that is what it is to be--I am to go away and they are to take my place. Mathilde. Take my room, and I will move into Laura's. I will easily arrange that. (Goes out.) Axel. Why all this beating about the bush? It is quite natural that you should want to see them, and equally natural that I should remove myself when they come; only you should have broken it to me--a little more considerately. Because I suppose they are coming now to take you with them--and, even if it means nothing to you to put an end to everything like this, at all events you ought to know what it means to me! Laura. I did not know till this moment that they were coming. Axel. But it must be your letters that have brought them here--your complaints-- Laura. I have made no complaints. Axel. You have only told them how matters stand here. Laura. Never. (A pause.) Axel (in astonishment). What have you been writing to them all this year, then--a letter every day? Laura. I have told them everything was going well here. Axel. Is it possible? All this time? Laura! Dare I believe it? Such consideration--(Comes nearer to her.) Ah, at last, then--? Laura (frightened). I did it out of consideration for them. Axel (coldly). For them? Well, I am sorry for them, then. They will soon see how things stand between us. Laura. They are only to be here a day or two. Then they go abroad. Axel. Abroad? But I suppose some one is going with them?--you, perhaps? Laura. You can't, can you? Axel. No.--So you are going away from me, Laura!--I am to remain here with Mathilde--it is just like that book. Laura. With Mathilde? Well--perhaps Mathilde could go with them? Axel. You know we can't do without her here--as things are at present. Laura. Perhaps you would rather I--? Axel. There is no need for you to ask my leave. You go if you wish. Laura. Yes, you can do without _me_.--All the same, I think I shall stay! Axel. You will stay--with me? Laura. Yes. Axel (in a happier voice, coming up to her). _That_ is not out of consideration for your parents? Laura. No, that it isn't! (He draws back in astonishment. MATHILDE comes in.) Mathilde. It is all arranged. (To AXEL.) You will stay, then?