things!--And yet, they said worse things of _Him_! Peace! (Reads.) "No doubt he talks against Socialism; no doubt he coquets with Christianity; but it is by these very means that he has become so expert a seducer of men's opinions-which was his aim all along." (Puts his hands before his face.) I should not have read it; forgive me! I am too weak still!--Ah! I feel--what is it? (Puts his hands suddenly to his heart, still unconsciously grasping the newspaper in them.) I must get into my room--get to bed! (Gets up with the help of his stick.) If only I can get there! Oh, I feel it coming on!--I must--. (Tries to hurry, but when he is halfway across the floor he stumbles, throws out his hands but finds no support, staggers on for a few steps, and falls full length on the threshold of his bedroom, so that half his length lies within the door and half without. A moment later, the HOUSEKEEPER comes in.) The Housekeeper (not observing that he is not still on the sofa). Won't you go to bed now, sir? You can't stand so much in one day. (Goes to the sofa.) Where is he? Surely he has not tried to walk in alone? (Hurries across to the bedroom door and almost falls over his body. She starts back with a scream.) Where is--? (Catches up the lamp, hurries back, and bends over him; then calls out, screaming:) Help! Help! (Rings the bell wildly. A MAID appears.) Mr. Halvdan is lying here! Heaven knows whether he is dead or alive! Run for the Doctor! Leave the door open behind you, and beg the first man you meet in the street to come up here at once and help me. Tell them it is a matter of life and death! Maid. Yes! The Housekeeper. Hurry! Maid (going out). Yes, yes! The Housekeeper (coming back into the room). Is he alive or dead? I haven't the courage to find out. And both his brothers away! (Cries.) God grant some one comes soon!--Poor man, alone in his death as he was in his life! But what was he doing _there_? Why did he get up from the sofa? (Sees the paper.) Surely that can't be--? (Puts the lamp on the floor and unfolds the paper.) Yes, it is the paper, right enough! Who can have given it him? I can't look at it now; but if it is like the number I read the other day (lets the paper fall, and gets up with the lamp) then I understand everything--and may God requite those that do such things! (The EDITOR rushes in.) The Editor. Is it here? The Housekeeper (holds the lamp to him, then starts back). What do _you_ want here? The Editor. Where am I? A girl came running down the street and told me I must come up here and help some one that was dying. What do you want me to do?--or is it not here? The Housekeeper. And it was _you_ she met? It is the hand of God! The Editor. What are you babbling about? If it is not here, say so at once. The Housekeeper. Yes, it is here. There he lies! The Editor. Then oughtn't we to get him into bed? The Housekeeper. Yes. But do you know who it is you are helping?