Then they will probably marry next autumn.

LADY ANNA [_nods_]. He must be kind to Hrafnhild--she is more than
just fond of him. Have you noticed that she is beginning to
resemble him?

THE JUDGE. Now, in spite of everything, I think we are beginning
to grow old; our sight is failing us.

LADY ANNA. Not my sight. Listen to me. You should have seen her
with the flowers this summer while she was home. When she watered
them, she talked with them as if they could understand her. It was
as if she returned every rise of fragrance with a smile. And the
flowers thrived and blossomed, as if they absorbed her tenderness.

THE JUDGE. I have noticed something else lately: that every time
she comes into a room it is as though the air were filled with the
beauty of peace. I could have myself blindfolded, and all Reykavik
could walk through the room on soles of velvet--when SHE entered I
could recognize her by the delightful calm that accompanies her.

LADY ANNA. This excessive love ... it is worrying me. Maybe it was
mostly on that account that I delayed agreeing to her departure.

THE JUDGE. There are so many things that worry you. Why doesn't
Ingolf come back? [Kisses her on the cheek.] I will talk to him
about it. [Goes out.]

RANNVEIG [enters]. The servants want to know how many places to
lay for dinner.