For it was beautiful to see two fair young people represent love’s happiness. No one could think that those kisses were anything but stage delusion. No one guessed that the señora shook with embarrassment and the knight with uneasiness. No one could think that it did not all belong to the tableau.
At last Marianne and Gösta stood behind the scenes.
She pushed her hair back from her forehead.
“I don’t understand myself,” she said.
“Fie! for shame, Miss Marianne,” said he, grimacing, and stretched out his hands. “To kiss Gösta Berling; shame on you!”
Marianne had to laugh.
“Everyone knows that Gösta Berling is irresistible. My fault is no greater than others’.”
And they agreed to put a good face on it, so that no one should suspect the truth.
“Can I be sure that the truth will never come out, Herr Gösta?” she asked, before they went out among the guests.
“That you can. Gentlemen can hold their tongues. I promise you that.”