Mrs. Christensen. I would not go so far as to say that; but there is one thing that Svava has overlooked. She is acting as if she were free. But she is not by any means free. A betrothal is equivalent to a marriage; at any rate, I am old-fashioned enough to consider it so, And the man to whom I have given my hand is thereby made my master and given authority over me, and I owe to him--as to a superior authority--my respect, whether he act well or ill. I cannot give him notice, or run away from him. Riis. That is old-fashioned and sensible. I thank you heartily, Mrs. Christensen! Nordan. And I too! Mrs. Riis. But if it is too late after the betrothal--. (Checks herself.) Mrs. Christensen. What do you mean, dear Mrs. Riis? Mrs. Riis. Oh, nothing nothing at all. Nordan. Mrs. Riis means that if it is too late after the betrothal, why do people not speak out before they are betrothed? Riis. What a thing to say! Christensen. Well, it wouldn't be such a bad thing, would it? I imagine proposals in future being worded somewhat in this way: "My dear Miss So-and-So, up to date I have had such and such a number of love affairs--that is to say, so many big ones and so many little ones." Don't you think it would be a capital way to lead the conversation on to-- Nordan.--to assuring her that she is the only one you have ever loved? Christensen. Well, not exactly that, but-- Riis. Here comes Alfred! Mrs. Riis. Alfred? Mrs. Christensen. Yes, it really is he! Riis (who has gone to the door to meet ALFRED). Ah, that is right! We are so glad you have come! Christensen. Well, my boy? Alfred. When it came to the point, I could not do anything else--I had to come here. Christensen. I quite agree with you. Riis. Yes, it was only the natural thing to do. (ALFRED comes forward and bows respectfully to SVAVA. She bows slightly, but without looking at him. He steps back again.) Nordan. Good morning, my boy! Alfred. Perhaps I have come at an inconvenient moment. Riis. Not a bit of it! Quite the contrary! Alfred. At the same time, it seems evident to me that my presence is not welcome to Miss Riis. (No one answers him.) Mrs. Christensen. But it is a family council we are holding--isn't it, my dear girl? Riis. I assure you, you _are_ welcome! And we are all particularly anxious to hear what you have to say! Christensen. That is so. Alfred. I have not succeeded in getting a hearing yet, you know. I have been refused admittance repeatedly--both in person and when I wrote. So I thought that if I came now, perhaps I should get a hearing. Riis. Of course. Who can object to that? Nordan. You shall have your hearing.