Bernick: Lona--what is your object in coming here?

Lona: I want to help you to get firm ground under your feet,
Karsten.

Bernick: Revenge!--you want to revenge yourself! I suspected it.
But you won't succeed! There is only one person here that can
speak with authority, and he will be silent.

Lona: You mean Johan?

Bernick: Yes, Johan. If any one else accuses me, I shall deny
everything. If any one tries to crush me, I shall fight for my
life. But you will never succeed in that, let me tell you! The
one who could strike me down will say nothing--and is going away.

(RUMMEL and VIGELAND come in from the right.)

Rummel: Good morning, my dear Bernick, good morning. You must
come up with us to the Commercial Association. There is a meeting
about the railway scheme, you know.

Bernick: I cannot. It is impossible just now.

Vigeland: You really must, Mr. Bernick.

Rummel: Bernick, you must. There is an opposition to us on foot.
Hammer, and the rest of those who believe in a line along the
coast, are declaring that private interests are at the back of