Act 3, Part 2 Summary

After Brack leaves, Hedda begins to look through the manuscript. She doesn't get far before she hears Berte and Lovborg arguing in the front hall and quickly hides the manuscript.

Lovborg enters, excited and full of apologies for not returning after the party. He asks to see Mrs. Elvsted. Mrs. Elvsted comes out of the back room, happy to see Lovborg and asking what happened. Lovborg tells her that their relationship is over. His book will never be published, and he's never going to write again. When Mrs. Elvsted tries to find out why and convince him that she can continue helping him work, he tells her that in his drunkenness, he tore the manuscript into pieces and threw it into the water. Mrs. Elvsted, in shock, says what he did is like killing their child. Lovborg agrees, and Mrs. Elvsted...