[He leaves the packet of MSS. on a chair, and rushes out;
    HEDDA hides the packet as BRACK enters.

Brack. Another early call, you see!  My party was such a singularly animated soiree that I haven’t undressed all night.  Oh, it was the liveliest affair conceivable!  And, like a true Norwegian host, I tracked LOeVBORG home; and it is only my duty, as a friend of the house, and cock of the walk, to take the first opportunity of telling you that he finished up the evening by coming to mere loggerheads with a red-haired opera-singer, and being taken off to the police-station!  You mustn’t have him here any more.  Remember our little triple alliance!

Hedda (her smile fading away).  You are certainly a dangerous person—­but you must not get a hold over me!

Brack (ambiguously).  What an idea!  But I might—­I am an insinuating dog.  Good morning! [Goes out.

Loevborg (bursting in, confused and excited).  I suppose you’ve heard where I’ve been?

Hedda (evasively).  I heard you had a very jolly party at Judge BRACK’s. [Mrs. ELVSTED comes in.

Loevborg.  It’s all over.  I don’t mean to do any more work.  I’ve no use for a companion now, THEA.  Go home to your Sheriff!

Mrs. E. (agitated).  Never!  I want to be with you when your book comes out!

Loevborg.  It won’t come out—­I’ve torn it up! (Mrs. E. rushes out, wringing her hands.) Mrs. TESMAN, I told her a lie—­but no matter.  I haven’t torn my book up—­I’ve done worse!  I’ve taken it about to several parties, and it’s been through a police-row with me—­now I’ve lost it.  Even if I found it again, it wouldn’t be the same—­not to me!  I am a Norwegian literary man, and peculiar.  So I must make an end of it altogether!

Hedda.  Quite so—­but look here, you must do it beautifully.  I don’t insist on your putting vine-leaves in your hair—­but do it beautifully. (Fetches pistol.) See, here is one of General GABLER’s pistols—­do it with that!

Loevborg. Thanks!

    [He takes the pistol, and goes out through the hall-door;
    as soon as he has gone, HEDDA brings out the manuscript, and
    puts it on the fire, whispering to herself, as Curtain falls.

* * * * *

CAN A MAN IMPRISON HIS WIFE?

(AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATION OF THE QUESTION, BY AN EMINENT LEGAL AUTHORITY.)

[Illustration:  Summing Up.]