Bishop. I judged her both too quickly and too harshly. That is one of our besetting sins. And I have paid too much heed to the opinion of others, and too little to the charity that should give us courage to do good. She, whom I despised, has taught me that. Hagbart. You do not know how grateful and how happy you have made me by saying that! Bishop. I have something more to say. At the time we held that unjust opinion of her, we misled you--for you relied on our opinion then--until you ended by sharing our views and being even more vehement in the matter than we, as young people will. That created a reaction in you, which in the end led to love. If that love had been a sin, we should have been to blame for it. Hagbart. Is it a sin, then? Bishop. No. But when you felt that we were inclined to look upon it in that light, that very fact stirred up your sense of justice and increased your love. You have a noble heart. Hagbart. Ah, how I shall love you after this, uncle! Bishop. And that is why I wanted you to sit down here just now, Hagbart--to beg your pardon--and hers. And my congregation's, too. It is my duty to guide them, but I was not willing to trust them enough. By far the greater number among them are good people; they would have followed me if I had had the courage to go forward. Hagbart. Uncle, I admire and revere you more than I have ever done before--more than any one has ever done! Bishop (getting up). My dear boy! Hagbart (throwing himself into his arms). Uncle! Bishop. Is your love strong enough to bear-- Hagbart. Anything! Bishop. Because sometimes love is given to us to teach us self-sacrifice. [The GRANDMOTHER comes in.] Grandmother. I heard Hagbart's voice. Hagbart. Grandmother! (He and the BISHOP go to help her.) Grandmother! You don't know how happy I am! (Takes her by the arm.) Grandmother. Is that true? Bishop (taking her other arm). You should not walk about without help. Grandmother. I heard Hagbart's voice. He was talking so loud, that I thought something had happened. Hagbart. So it has--something good! Uncle consents! He is splendid! He has made everything all right again, and better than ever! Oh, grandmother, I wish you were not so old! I feel as if I should like to take you up in my arms and dance you round the room. Grandmother. You mustn't do that, my dear. (They put her into her chair.) Now! What is your last bit of news? Hagbart. My last bit of news? I have no fresh news! There is nothing more to tell! Bishop. Yes, Hagbart, there is. Hagbart. Why do you say that so seriously?--You look so serious--and seem agitated! Uncle! (The noise of wheels is heard outside.) Bishop. Wait a little, my dear boy. Wait a little! (Goes out by the door at the back.) Hagbart. Grandmother, what can it be? Grandmother. I don't know.--But happiness is often so brief. Hagbart. Happiness so brief? What do you mean?--Good God, grandmother, don't torture me!