[Softly, with a sharp glance.] Take care! Believe nothing of the sort!
[Twilight has begun to fall. The hall door is opened from without by Berta.
Hedda.
[Closes the album with a bang and calls smilingly:] Ah, at last! My darling Thea,—come along!
Mrs. Elvsted enters from the hall. She is in evening dress. The door is closed behind her.
Hedda.
[On the sofa, stretches out her arms towards her.] My sweet Thea—you can’t think how I have been longing for you!
[Mrs. Elvsted, in passing, exchanges slight salutations with the gentlemen in the inner room, then goes up to the table and gives Hedda her hand. Eilert Lövborg has risen. He and Mrs. Elvsted greet each other with a silent nod.
Mrs. Elvsted.
Ought I to go in and talk to your husband for a moment?