Tjaelde. You should not have done that! (An office-boy comes in. BERENT looks at TJAELDE.) Ask your mistress--ask my wife to come to me. Berent. At once, please. (The boy goes out.) Good-bye! (Goes out. TJAELDE sinks down on to a chair by the door.) [The Curtain falls.] ACT III (SCENE.-The same as in the preceding act. TJAELDE is sitting alone, on the chair by the door, in the position he was in when the curtain fell on the last act. After sitting motionless for a considerable time, he suddenly gets up.) Tjaelde. How am I to begin? After her, there are the children; after them, all my work-people--and then all the others! If only I could get away! But the Receiver's men will be here.--I must have some air! (Goes to the nearest window.) What a beautiful day!--but not for me. (Opens the window and looks out.) My horse! No, I daren't look at it. Why is it saddled? Oh, of course I meant, after my talk with Berent, to--. But now everything is different! (Walks up and down once or twice, thinking; then says suddenly:) Yes, on that horse I might reach the outer harbour before the foreign boat sails! (Looks at his watch.) I can do it! And I shall be able to put behind me all--. (Stops, with a start, as he hears footsteps on the stair.) Who is there? What is it? (MRS. TJAELDE comes down the stair into the room.) Mrs. Tjaelde. You sent for me? Tjaelde. Yes. (Watching her.) Were you upstairs? Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes, I was resting. Tjaelde (sympathetically). Ah, you were sleeping, and I woke you up! Mrs. Tjaelde. No, I was not asleep. (She has come slowly forward.) Tjaelde. You weren't asleep? (Apprehensively, to her.) I suppose you didn't--? (To himself.) No, I daren't ask her. Mrs. Tjaelde. What did you want? Tjaelde. I wanted--. (Sees her eyes fixed on the revolver.) You are surprised at my having that out? I got it out because I am going on a journey. Mrs. Tjaelde (supporting herself on the desk). Going on a journey? Tjaelde. Yes. Mr. Berent has been here, as I dare say you know. (She does not answer.) Business, you know. I have to go abroad. Mrs. Tjaelde (faintly). Abroad? Tjaelde. Only for a few days. So I will only take my usual bag with a change of clothes and one or two shirts; but I must have it at once. Mrs. Tjaelde. I don't think your bag has been unpacked since you brought it home to-day. Tjaelde. So much the better. Will you get it for me? Mrs. Tjaelde. Are you going away now--at once? Tjaelde. Yes, by the foreign boat--from the outer harbour. Mrs. Tjaelde. You have no time to lose, then. Tjaelde. Are you not well? Mrs. Tjaelde. Not very. Tiwlde. One of your attacks? Mrs. Tjaelde. Yes!--but I must fetch your bag. (TJAELDE helps her over to the staircase.) Tjaelde. You are not well, my dear--but you will be better some day. Mrs. Tjaelde. I only wish _you_ looked better. Tjaelde. We all have our burdens to bear. Mrs. Tjaelde. If only we could bear more together!