Tesman.

No; I thought I had better not. But you ought to have told him. Fancy, if, in desperation, he should go and do himself some injury! Let me have the manuscript, Hedda! I will take it to him at once. Where is it?

Hedda.

[Cold and immovable, leaning on the arm-chair.] I have not got it.

Tesman.

Have not got it? What in the world do you mean?

Hedda.

I have burnt it—every line of it.

Tesman.

[With a violent movement of terror.] Burnt! Burnt Eilert’s manuscript!