Brack (smiles).  Hm!—­perhaps, dear Mrs. HEDDA—­

Hedda (enthusiastically).  But wasn’t it sweet of him!  To have the courage to live his own life after his own fashion—­to break away from the banquet of life—­so early and so drunk!  A beautiful act like that does appeal to a superior woman’s imagination!

Brack.  Sorry to shatter your poetical illusions, little Mrs. HEDDA, but, as a matter of fact, our lamented friend met his end under other circumstances.  The shot did not strike him in the breast—­but—­ [Pauses.

Hedda (excitedly).  General GABLER’S pistols!  I might have known it!  Did they ever shoot straight?  Where was he hit, then?

Brack (in a discreet undertone).  A little lower down!

Hedda.  Oh, how disgusting!—­how vulgar!—­how ridiculous!—­like everything else about me!

Brack.  Yes, we’re realistic types of human nature, and all that—­but a trifle squalid, perhaps.  And why did you give LOeVBORG your pistol, when it was certain to be traced by the police?  For a charming cold-blooded woman with a clear head and no scruples, wasn’t it just a leetle foolish?

Hedda.  Perhaps; but I wanted him to do it beautifully, and he didn’t!  Oh, I’ve just admitted that I did give him the pistol—­how annoyingly unwise of me!  Now I’m in your power, I suppose?

Brack.  Precisely—­for some reason it’s not easy to understand.  But it’s inevitable, and you know how you dread anything approaching scandal.  All your past proceedings show that. (To GEORGE and Mrs. E., who come in together from the back-room.) Well, how are you getting on with the reconstruction of poor LOeVBORG’S great work, eh?

[Illustration:  “What! the accounts of all those everlasting bores settled?”]

George.  Capitally; we’ve made out the first two parts already.  And really, HEDDA, I do believe Mrs. ELVSTED is inspiring me; I begin to feel it coming on.  Fancy that!

Mrs. E. Yes, goodness!  HEDDA, won’t it be lovely if I can.  I mean to try so hard!

Hedda.  Do, you dear little silly rabbit; and while you are trying I will go into the back drawing-room and lie down.

[She goes into the back-room and draws the curtains.  Short pause.  Suddenly she is heard playing “The Bogie Man” within on the piano.

George.  But, dearest HEDDA, don’t play “The Bogie Man” this evening.  As one of my aunts is dead, and poor old LOeVBORG has shot himself, it seems just a little pointed, eh?

Hedda (puts her head out between the curtains).  All right!  I’ll be quiet after this.  I’m going to practise with the late General GABLER’S pistol!

[Closes the curtains again; GEORGE gets behind the stove, Judge BRACK under the table, and Mrs. ELVSTED under the sofa.  A shot is heard within.