LOVBORG.
Dared not? Of course I preferred to stop here and talk to you.
MRS. ELVSTED.
What could be more natural, Hedda?
HEDDA.
But the Judge could not guess that. And I say, too, the way he smiled and glanced at Tesman when you dared not accept his invitation to this wretched little supper-party of his.
LOVBORG.
Dared not! Do you say I dared not?
HEDDA.
I don't say so. But that was how Judge Brack understood it.