Reb. No—­I will be short—­this was it.  I wanted to take my share in the life of the New Era, and march onward with ROSMER.  There was one dismal, insurmountable barrier—­(to ROSMER, who nods gravely)—­BEATA!  I understood where your deliverance lay—­and I acted. I drove BEATA into the mill-race ...  There!

Rosmer (after a short silence).  H’m!  Well, KROLL—­(takes up his hat)—­if you’re thinking of walking home, I’ll go too.  I’m going to be orthodox once more—­after this!

Kroll (severely and impressively, to REB.).  A nice sort of young woman you are! [Both go out hastily, without looking at REB.

Reb. (speaks to herself, under her breath).  Now I have done it.  I wonder why. (Pulls bell-rope.) Madam HELSETH, I have just had a glimpse of two rushing White Horses.  Bring down my hair-trunk.

    [Enter Madam H., with large hair-trunk, as Curtain falls.

ACT IV.

    Late evening.  REBECCA WEST stands by a lighted lamp, with a
    shade over it, packing sandwiches, &c., in a reticule, with a
    faint smile.  The antimacassar is on the sofa.  Enter ROSMER.

Rosmer (seeing the sandwiches, &c.).  Sandwiches?  Then you are going I Why, on earth,—­I can’t understand!

Reb. Dear, you never can.  Rosmershoelm is too much for me.  But how did you get on with KROLL?

Rosmer.  We have made it up.  He has convinced me that the work of ennobling men was several sizes too large for me—­so I am going to let it alone—­

Reb. (with her faint smile).  There I almost think, dear, that you are wise.

Rosmer (as if annoyed).  What, so you don’t believe in me either, REBECCA—­you never did! [Sits listlessly on chair.

Reb. Not much, dear, when you are left to yourself—­but I’ve another confession to make.

Rosmer.  What, another?  I really can’t stand any more confessions just now!

Reb. (sitting close to him).  It is only a little one.  I bullied BEATA into the mill-race—­because of a wild uncontrollable—­ (ROSMER moves uneasily.) Sit still, dear—­uncontrollable fancy—­for you!

Rosmer (goes and sits on sofa).  Oh, my goodness, REBECCA—­you mustn’t, you know!

    [He jumps up and down as if embarrassed.

Reb. Don’t be alarmed, dear, it is all over now.  After living alone with you in solitude, when you showed me all your thoughts without reserve,—­little by little, somehow the fancy passed off.  I caught the ROSMER view of life badly, and dulness descended on my soul as an extinguisher upon one of our Northern dips.  The ROSMER view of life is ennobling, very—­but hardly lively.  And I’ve more yet to tell you.