Judge Brack enters the scene and gives Hedda the sordid details of Lövborg's excesses, saying that at present he was in the police station for assaulting an officer. After some time, Lövborg arrives at Hedda's house just as Thea is waking up. He tells her to go back to her husband because he is not going to write any more and that he has torn up the manuscript. Mrs. Elvsted accuses him of killing their 'child' and leaves. When left alone with Hedda, he confesses that he had lost the manuscript during the previous night's debauchery and feels absolutely awful about it. He confesses that he would like to die. Hedda gives him one of her pistols and tell him to "do it beautifully." When she is left alone she burns the manuscript and declares, "Now I am burning your child, then! Your child and Eilert Lövborg's."

When George Tesman recovers from the shock of Aunt Rina's death, he asks Hedda for the manuscript. When Hedda tells him that she has destroyed it because Lövborg was his rival, he is distraught yet also thrilled at her loyalty. She also confesses that she is pregnant and his joy knows no bounds. He agrees to keep silent about the manuscript.

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