had you in the first rich, beautiful days. [Vehemently and harshly.] Never, never will I consent to be put off with scraps and leavings, Alfred! ALLMERS. [In a conciliatory tone.] I should have thought there was happiness in plenty for all three of us, Rita. RITA. [Scornfully.] Then you are easy to please. [Seats herself at the table on the left.] Now listen to me. ALLMERS. [Approaching.] Well, what is it? RITA. [Looking up at him with a veiled glow in her eyes.] When I got your telegram yesterday evening-- ALLMERS. Yes? What then? RITA. --then I dressed myself in white-- ALLMERS. Yes, I noticed you were in white when I arrived. RITA. I had let down my hair-- ALLMERS. Your sweet masses of hair-- RITA. --so that it flowed down my neck and shoulders-- ALLMERS. I saw it, I saw it. Oh, how lovely you were, Rita! RITA. There were rose-tinted shades over both the lamps. And we were alone, we two--the only waking beings in the whole house. And there was champagne on the table. ALLMERS. I did not drink any of it. RITA. [Looking bitterly at him.] No, that is true. [Laughs harshly.] "There stood the champagne, but you tasted it not"--as the poet says. [She rises from the armchair, goes with an air of weariness over to the sofa, and seats herself, half reclining, upon it.] ALLMERS. [Crosses the room and stands before her.] I was so taken up with serious thoughts. I had made up my mind to talk to you of our future, Rita--and first and foremost of Eyolf. RITA. [Smiling.] And so you did-- ALLMERS. No, I had not time to--for you began to undress. RITA. Yes, and meanwhile you talked about Eyolf. Don't you