[With a grave smile.] So you are afraid of the law of change, after all?

Borgheim.

No, not in the least. [Laughing bitterly.] And there is nothing to be changed, either—not in you, I mean. For I can see you don’t care much about me.

Asta.

You know very well that I do.

Borgheim.

Perhaps, but not nearly enough. Not as I want you to. [More forcibly.] By Heaven, Asta—Miss Asta—I cannot tell you how strongly I feel that you are wrong in this! A little onward, perhaps, from to-day and tomorrow, all life’s happiness may be awaiting us. And we must needs pass it by! Do you think we will not come to repent of it, Asta?

Asta.

[Quietly.] I don’t know. I only know that they are not for us—all these bright possibilities.

Borgheim.