Svava. Nevertheless we love one another. Our paths may be as unlike as they please, if only they lead together in the end. Alfred. To the same way of thinking, you mean? Svava. Yes, to our being such comrades as we are now. Alfred. Such true comrades? Svava. Such true comrades! Alfred. Still, it is just at moments like this, when I hold you in my arms as I do now, that I ask myself over and over again why I did not do this long ago. Svava. Oh, I don't think about that--not the least bit! It is the safest place in the world--that is what I think! Alfred. Perhaps before this year it would not have been so. Svava. What do you mean? Alfred. I mean--well, I mean practically the same as you; that I have not always been the man I am now.--But I must hurry away. The letter says it is something urgent. (They cross the room together.) Svava. One minute won't make any difference, will it?--because there is something I must say to you first. Alfred (standing still). What is it? Svava. When I saw you standing amongst all the others yesterday, I felt for the first moment as if I did not know you. Some change seemed to have come over you--the effect of the others, perhaps--anyway you really _were_ actually different. Alfred. Of course. People always are that, among strangers. When you came in with the ladies, it just seemed to me as if I had never observed you carefully before. Besides, there are certain things one cannot know till one sees a person amongst others. It was the first time I realised how tall you are--and your way of bending just a tiny bit to one side when you bow to any one. And your colouring! I had never properly seen-- Svava. Do be quiet, and let me get a word in! Alfred. No, no! Here we are, back in the room--and I _must_ be off now! Svava. Only just a moment. You interrupted me, you know! When I saw you standing there among the men for the first moment I felt just as if I did not know you. But at the same moment you caught sight of me and nodded. I don't know what sort of a transformation came over us both; but I felt myself blushing as red as fire. And it was some time before I had the courage to look at you again. Alfred. Well, do you know what happened to me? Every time any one came to dance with you, didn't I envy him! Oh, not at all!--To tell you the truth, I cannot bear any one else to touch you. (Clasps her in his arms.) And I have not told you the best part of it yet. Svava. What is that? Alfred. That when I see you amongst other people, and catch--say--a glimpse of your arm, I think to myself: That arm has been round my neck and round no one else's in the whole world! She is mine, mine, mine--and no one else's!--There, that is the best part of it all!--Look here, here we are back again in the room! It is witchcraft! Now I must go. (Crosses the room.) Good-bye! (Lets her go, then catches hold of her again.) Why didn't I find my happiness many years ago?--Good-bye! Svava. I think I will come with you.