stops.)
Mother. Yes, you will do it best.
[MATHILDE comes in, followed by a Servant, who throws the doors open.]
Mathilde. Breakfast is ready.
Father (taking his wife's arm). Keep your shawl on, my dear; it is cold in the hall. (They go out.)
Axel (as he offers LAURA his arm and leads her towards the door). Let me have a word with you, before we follow them!
Laura. But it is breakfast time.
Axel (to MATHILDE, who is standing behind them waiting). Do you mind going on? (MATHILDE goes out, followed by the Servant. AXEL turns to LAURA.) Will nothing move you? Go with me to this dance!
Laura. I thought that was what you were going to say.
Axel. For my sake!
Laura. But you saw for yourself that mother and father do not wish it?
Axel. I wish it.
Laura. When mother and father do not?
Axel. Then I suppose you are their daughter in the first place, and my wife only in the second?
Laura (with a laugh). Well, that is only natural.
Axel. No, it is not natural; because two days ago you promised to forsake your father and your mother and follow me.
Laura (laughing). To the ball? I certainly never promised that.
Axel. Wherever I wish.
Laura. But you mustn't wish that, Axel darling—because it is quite impossible.
Axel. It is quite possible, if you like to do it.
Laura. Yes, but I don't like.
Axel. That same day you also heard that a man is his wife's lord and master. You must be willing to leave them, if I wish it; it was on those terms that you gave me your hand, you obstinate little woman.
Laura. It was just so as to be able to be always with father and mother, that I did it.
Axel. So that was it. Then you have no wish to be always with me?
Laura. Yes—but not to forsake them.
Axel. Never?
Laura. Never? (Softly.) Yes, some day—when I must.
Axel. When must you?
Laura. When? When mother and father—are gone. But why think about such things?
Axel. Don't cry, darling! Listen to me. Would you never be willing to follow me—until they have left us?
Laura. No!—how can you think so?
Axel. Ah, Laura, you don't love me.
Laura. Why do you say such a thing? You only want to make me unhappy.
Axel. You don't even know what love is.
Laura. I don't?—That is not kind of you.
Axel. Tell me what it is then, sweetheart!
Laura (kissing him). Now you mustn't talk about it any more; because you know, if you do, I shall have red eyes, and then father and mother will want to know why they are red, and I shall not be able to tell them, and it will be very embarrassing.
Axel. Better a few tears now than many later on.
Laura. But what have I done to cry about?
Axel. You have given your hand without giving your heart with it; your tongue said "yes," but not your will; you have given yourself without realising what it means. And so, what ought to be the greatest and purest happiness in my life begins to turn to sorrow, and the future looks dark.
Laura. Oh, dear!—and is all this my fault?
Axel. No, it is my own fault. I have been deluding myself with flattering hopes. I thought it would be so easy a matter for my love to awaken yours; but I cannot make you understand me. Every way I have tried has failed. So I must call up my courage, and try the last chance.
Laura. The last chance? What do you mean?
Axel. Laura, I can't tell you how dearly I love you!
Laura. If you did, you wouldn't hurt me. I never hurt you.
Axel. Well, give in to me in just this one thing, and I shall believe it is the promise of more. Go with me to the ball!
Laura. You know I cannot do that!
Axel. Ah! then I dare not delay any longer!
Laura. You frighten me! You look so angry.
Axel. No, no. But things cannot go on like this any longer. I can't stand it!
Laura. Am I so bad, then? No one ever told me so before.
Axel. Don't cry, my dainty little fairy. You have nothing to blame yourself for—except for being so bewitchingly sweet whether you are laughing or crying. You exhale sweetness like a flower. I want your influence to pervade every place where I am, to distract me when I am moody and laugh away my longings. Hush, hush—no red eyes. Let no one see that. Here is your mother coming—no, it is Mathilde.
[Enter MATHILDE.]
Mathilde. Your coffee is getting cold.
Axel. We are just coming. At least, Laura is. I want to speak to you for a moment, if I may.
Mathilde. To me?
Axel. If you will allow me.
Mathilde. By all means.
Laura. But you are coming in to breakfast?
Axel. In a moment, darling.
Laura. And you are not angry with me any longer?
Axel (following her). I never was that. I never could be!
Laura. I am so glad! (Runs out.)
Mathilde. What is it you want?
Axel. Can you keep a secret?
Mathilde. No.
Axel. You won't?
Mathilde. No.
Axel. You won't share any more confidences with me? (Takes her hand.) You used to—
Mathilde (drawing back her hand and moving away from him). Yes, I used to.
Axel. Why won't you any longer? (Goes up to her.) What is changed?
Mathilde. You. You are married now.
Axel. No, that is just what I am not.
Mathilde. Indeed.
Axel. You have sharp eyes.
