Bernick.
Lona—what did you come here to do?
Lona.
To help you to get firm ground under your feet, Karsten.
Bernick.
Revenge! You want to revenge yourself. I thought as much! But you will not succeed! There is only one who has a right to speak, and he is silent.
Lona.
Johan?
Bernick.
Yes, Johan. If any one else accuses me, I shall deny everything. If you try to crush me, I shall fight for my life. You will never succeed, I tell you! He who could destroy me will not speak—and he is going away again.
Rummel and Vigeland enter from the right.
Rummel.
Good-morning, good-morning, my dear Bernick. You are coming with us to the Trade Council? We have a meeting on the railway business, you know.
Bernick.
I cannot. It's impossible just now.
Vigeland.
You really must, Consul
Rummel.
You must, Bernick. There are people working against us. Hammer and the other men who were in favour of the coast line, declare that there are private interests lurking behind the new proposal.
