STIVER.
And you complacently can see your house
With little Strawmans every year augmented.
STRAWMAN [Rubbing his hands with satisfaction and looking
after FALK].
Insolent fellow! Well, it served him right;—
Would all these knowing knaves were in his plight!
[They go across in conversation; MRS. HALM
approaches with SVANHILD.
MRS. HALM [aside eagerly].
And nothing binds you?
SVANHILD.
Nothing.
MRS. HALM.
Good, you know
A daughter's duty—
SVANHILD.
Guide me, I obey.
MRS. HALM.
Thanks, child. [Pointing to GULDSTAD.
He is rich and comme il faut
Parti; and since there's nothing in the way—
SVANHILD.
Yes, there is one condition I require!—
To leave this place.
MRS. HALM.
Precisely his desire.