that the most important event in her life came upon her a little
unpreparedly; so you ought to take her by the hand and guide
her first steps away from her parents and towards me--direct her
affections towards me--

Mathilde. I? (A pause.)

Axel. Won't you?

Mathilde. No--

Axel. But why not? You love her, don't you?

Mathilde. I do; but this is a thing--

Axel. --that you can do quite well! For you are better off than
the rest of us--you have many more ways of reaching a person's
soul than we have. Sometimes when we have been discussing
something, and then you have given your opinion, it has reminded
me of the refrains to the old ballads, which sum up the essence
of the whole poem in two lines.

Mathilde. Yes, I have heard you flatter before.

Axel. I flatter? Why, what I have just asked you to do is a
clearer proof than anything else how great my--

Mathilde. Stop, stop! I won't do it!

Axel. Why not? At least be frank with me!