writing on the drawings. At the same moment_ MRS. SOLNESS _enters;
she has some packages in her hand._
MRS. SOLNESS.
Here are a few things I have got for you, Miss Wangel. The large parcels
will be sent later on.
HILDA.
Oh, how very, very kind of you!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Only my simple duty. Nothing more than that.
SOLNESS.
[_Reading over what he has written._] Aline!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes?
SOLNESS.
Did you notice whether the—the book-keeper was out there?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, of course, she was there.
SOLNESS.
[_Puts the drawings in the portfolio._] H’m——
MRS. SOLNESS.
She was standing at the desk, as she always is—when _I_ go through the
room.
SOLNESS.
[_Rises._] Then I’ll give this to her, and tell her that——
HILDA.
[_Takes the portfolio from him._] Oh, no, let me have the pleasure of
doing that! [_Goes to the door, but turns._] What is her name?
SOLNESS.
Her name is Miss Fosli.
HILDA.
Pooh, that sounds so cold! Her Christian name, I mean?
SOLNESS.
Kaia—I believe.
HILDA.
[_Opens the door and calls out._] Kaia, come in here! Make haste! Mr.
Solness wants to speak to you.
_KAIA FOSLID appears at the door._
KAIA.
[_Looking at him in alarm._] Here I am——?
HILDA.
[_Handing her the portfolio._] See here, Kaia! You can take this home;
Mr. Solness has written on them now.
KAIA.
Oh, at last!
SOLNESS.
Give them to the old man as soon as you can.
KAIA.
I will go straight home with them.
SOLNESS.
Yes, do. Now Ragnar will have a chance of building for himself.
KAIA.
Oh, may he come and thank you for all——?
SOLNESS.
[_Harshly._] I won’t have any thanks! Tell him _that_ from me.
KAIA.
Yes, I will——
SOLNESS.
And tell him at the same time that henceforward I do not require his
services—nor yours either.
KAIA.
[_Softly and quiveringly._] Not mine either?
SOLNESS.
You will have other things to think of now, and to attend to; and that
is a very good thing for you. Well, go home with the drawings now, Miss
Fosli. At once! Do you hear?
KAIA.
[_As before._] Yes, Mr. Solness. [_She goes out._
MRS. SOLNESS.
Heavens! what deceitful eyes she has.
SOLNESS.
She? That poor little creature?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh—I can see what I can see, Halvard.——Are you really dismissing them?
SOLNESS.
Yes.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Her as well?
SOLNESS.
Was not that what you wished?
MRS. SOLNESS.
But how can you get on without _her_——? Oh well, no doubt you have some
one else in reserve, Halvard.
HILDA.
[_Playfully._] Well, _I_ for one am not the person to stand at that
desk.
SOLNESS.
Never mind, never mind—it will be all right. Aline. Now all you have to
do is to think about moving into our new home—as quickly as you can.
This evening we will hang up the wreath—[_Turns to HILDA._]—right on the
very pinnacle of the tower. What do you say to that, Miss Hilda?
HILDA.
[_Looks at him with sparkling eyes._] It will be splendid to see you so
high up once more.
SOLNESS.
Me!
MRS. SOLNESS.
For Heaven’s sake, Miss Wangel, don’t imagine such a thing! My
husband!—when he always gets so dizzy!
HILDA.
_He_ get dizzy! No, I know quite well he does not!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes, indeed he does.
HILDA.
But I have seen him with my own eyes right up at the top of a high
church-tower!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible——
SOLNESS.
[_Vehemently._] Impossible—impossible, yes! But there I stood all the
same!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can’t even bear to go out on
the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.
SOLNESS.
You may perhaps see something different this evening.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_In alarm._] No, no, no! Please God I shall never see that. I will
write at once to the doctor—and I am sure he won’t let you do it.
SOLNESS.
Why, Aline——!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, you know you’re ill, Halvard. This _proves_ it! Oh God—Oh God!
[_She goes hastily out to the right._
HILDA.
[_Looks intently at him._] Is it so, or is it not?
SOLNESS.
That I turn dizzy?
HILDA.
That my master builder _dares_ not—_cannot_—climb as high as he builds?
SOLNESS.
Is that the way you look at it?
HILDA.
Yes.
SOLNESS.
I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.
HILDA.
[_Looks towards the bow-window._] Up there, then. Right up there——
SOLNESS.
[_Approaches her._] You might have the topmost room in the tower,
Hilda—there you might live like a princess.
HILDA.
[_Indefinably, between earnest and jest._] Yes, that is what you
promised me.
SOLNESS.
_Did_ I really?
HILDA.
Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you would
give me a kingdom. And then you went and——Well!
SOLNESS.
[_Cautiously._] Are you quite certain that this is not a dream—a fancy,
that has fixed itself in your mind?
HILDA.
[_Sharply._] Do you mean that you did not do it?
SOLNESS.
I scarcely know myself. [_More softly._] But now I know so _much_ for
certain, that I——-
HILDA.
That you——? Say it at once!
SOLNESS.
——that I _ought_ to have done it.
HILDA.
[_Exclaims with animation._] Don’t tell me _you_ can ever be dizzy!
SOLNESS.
This evening, then, we will hang up the wreath—Princess Hilda.
HILDA.
[_With a bitter curve of the lips._] Over your new home, yes.
SOLNESS.
Over the new house, which will never be a _home_ for me.
[_He goes out through the garden door._
HILDA.
[_Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression, and
whispers to herself. The only words audible are_]——frightfully
thrilling——
ACT THIRD.
_The large, broad verandah of_ SOLNESS’S _dwelling-house. Part of the
house, with outer door leading to the verandah, is seen to the
left. A railing along the verandah to the right. At the back, from
the end of the verandah, a flight of steps leads down to the
garden below. Tall old trees in the garden spread their branches
over the verandah and towards the house. Far to the right, in
among the trees, a glimpse is caught of the lower part of the new
villa, with scaffolding round so much as is seen of the tower. In
the background the garden is bounded by an old wooden fence.
Outside the fence, a street with low, tumble-down cottages._
_Evening sky with sun-lit clouds._
_On the verandah, a garden bench stands along the wall of the house, and
in front of the bench a long table. On the other side of the
table, an arm-chair and some stools. All the furniture is of
wicker-work._
MRS. SOLNESS, _wrapped in a large white crape shawl, sits resting in the
arm-chair and gazes over to the right. Shortly after,_ HILDA
WANGEL _comes up the flight of steps from the garden. She is
dressed as in the last act, and wears her hat. She has in her
bodice a little nosegay of small common flowers._
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Turning her head a little._] Have you been round the garden, Miss
Wangel?
HILDA.
Yes, I have been taking a look at it.
MRS. SOLNESS.
And found some flowers too, I see.
HILDA.
Yes, indeed! There are such heaps of them in among the bushes.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Are there really? Still? You see I scarcely ever go there.
HILDA.
[_Closer._] What! Don’t you take a run down into the garden every day,
then?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_With a faint smile._] I don’t “run” anywhere, nowadays.
HILDA.
Well, but do you not go down now and then to look at all the lovely
things there?
MRS. SOLNESS.
It has all become so strange to me. I am almost afraid to see it again.
HILDA.
Your own garden!
MRS. SOLNESS.
I don’t feel that it is _mine_ any longer.
HILDA.
What do you mean——?
MRS. SOLNESS.
No, no, it is not—not as it was in my mother’s and father’s time. They
have taken away so much—so much of the garden, Miss Wangel. Fancy—they
have parcelled it out—and built houses for strangers—people that I don’t
know. And _they_ can sit and look in upon me from their windows.
HILDA.
[_With a bright expression._] Mrs. Solness!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes!
HILDA.
May I stay here with you a little?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, by all means, if you care to.
[HILDA _moves a stool close to the arm-chair and sits down._
HILDA.
Ah—here one can sit and sun oneself like a cat.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Lays her hand softly on HILDA’S neck._] It is nice of you to be
willing to sit with me. I thought you wanted to go in to my husband.
HILDA.
What should I want with him?
MRS. SOLNESS.
To help him, I thought.
HILDA.
No, thank you. And besides, he is not in. He is over there with his
workmen. But he looked so fierce that I did not dare to talk to him.
MRS. SOLNESS.
He is so kind and gentle in reality.
HILDA.
_He!_
MRS. SOLNESS.
You do not really know him yet, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
[_Looks affectionately at her._] Are you pleased at the thought of
moving over to the new house?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I _ought_ to be pleased; for it is what Halvard wants——
HILDA.
Oh, not just on that account, surely.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, yes, Miss Wangel; for it is only my duty to submit myself to him.
But very often it is dreadfully difficult to force one’s mind to
obedience.
HILDA.
Yes, that must be difficult indeed.
MRS. SOLNESS.
I can tell you it is—when one has so many faults as I have——
HILDA.
When one has gone through so much trouble as you have——
MRS. SOLNESS.
How do you know about that?
HILDA.
Your husband told me.
MRS. SOLNESS.
To me he very seldom mentions these things.—Yes, I can tell you I have
gone through more than enough trouble in my life, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
[_Looks sympathetically at her and nods slowly._] Poor Mrs. Solness.
First of all there was the fire——
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_With a sigh._] Yes, everything that was _mine_ was burnt.
HILDA.
And then came what was worse.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Looking inquiringly at her._] Worse?
HILDA.
The worst of all.
MRS. SOLNESS.
What do you mean?
HILDA.
[_Softly._] You lost the two little boys.
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes, the boys. But, you see, _that_ was a thing apart. That was a
dispensation of Providence; and in such things one can only bow in
submission—yes, and be thankful, too.
HILDA.
Then you are so?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Not always, I am sorry to say. I know well enough that it is my duty—but
all the same I _cannot_.
HILDA.
No, no, I think that is only natural.
MRS. SOLNESS.
And often and often I have to remind myself that it was a righteous
punishment for me——
HILDA.
Why?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Because I had not fortitude enough in misfortune.
HILDA.
But I don’t see that——
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh, no, no, Miss Wangel—do not talk to me any more about the two little
boys. We ought to feel nothing but joy in thinking of _them_; for they
are so happy—so happy now. No, it is the _small_ losses in life that cut
one to the heart—the loss of all that other people look upon as almost
nothing.
HILDA.
[_Lays her arms on MRS. SOLNESS’S knees, and looks up at her
affectionately._] Dear Mrs. Solness—tell me what things you mean!
MRS. SOLNESS.
As I say, only little things. All the old portraits were burnt on the
walls. And all the old silk dresses were burnt, that had belonged to the
family for generations and generations. And all mother’s and
grandmother’s lace—that was burnt, too. And only think—the jewels, too!
[_Sadly._] And then all the dolls.
HILDA.
The dolls?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Choking with tears._] I had nine lovely dolls.
HILDA.
And _they_ were burnt too?
MRS. SOLNESS.
All of them. Oh, it was hard—so hard for me.
HILDA.
Had you put by all these dolls, then? Ever since you were little?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I had not put them by. The dolls and I had gone on living together.
HILDA.
After you were grown up?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, long after that.
HILDA.
After you were married, too?
MRS. SOLNESS.
Oh yes, indeed. So long as he did not see it——. But they were all burnt
up, poor things. No one thought of saving _them_. Oh, it is so miserable
to think of. You mustn’t laugh at me, Miss Wangel.
HILDA.
I am not laughing in the least.
MRS. SOLNESS.
For you see, in a certain sense, there was life in them, too. I carried
them under my heart—like little unborn children.
DR. HERDAL, _with his hat in his hand, comes out through the door, and
observes_ MRS. SOLNESS _and HILDA._
DR. HERDAL.
Well, Mrs. Solness, so you are sitting out here catching cold?
MRS. SOLNESS.
I find it so pleasant and warm here to-day.
DR. HERDAL.
Yes, yes. But is there anything going on here? I got a note from you.
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Rises._] Yes, there is something I must talk to you about.
DR. HERDAL.
Very well; then perhaps we had better go in. [_To HILDA._] Still in your
mountaineering dress, Miss Wangel?
HILDA.
[_Gaily, rising._] Yes—in full uniform! But to-day I am not going
climbing and breaking my neck. We two will stop quietly below and look
on, doctor.
DR. HERDAL.
What are we to look on at?
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Softly, in alarm, to HILDA._] Hush, hush—for God’s sake! He is coming!
Try to get that idea out of his head. And let us be friends, Miss
Wangel. Don’t you think we can?
HILDA.
[_Throws her arms impetuously round MRS. SOLNESS’S neck._] Oh, if we
only could!
MRS. SOLNESS.
[_Gently disengages herself._] There, there, there! There he comes,
doctor. Let me have a word with you.
DR. HERDAL.
Is it about _him_!
MRS. SOLNESS.
Yes, to be sure it’s about him. Do come in.
_She and the doctor enter the house. Next moment_ SOLNESS _comes up from
the garden by the flight of steps. A serious look comes over_
HILDA’S _face._
SOLNESS.
[_Glances at the house-door, which is closed cautiously from within._]
Have you noticed, Hilda, that as soon as I come, she goes?
HILDA.
I have noticed that as soon as you come, you _make_ her go.
SOLNESS.
Perhaps so. But I cannot help it. [_Looks observantly at her._] Are you
cold, Hilda? I think you look cold.
HILDA.
I have just come up out of a tomb.
SOLNESS.
What do you mean by _that_?
HILDA.
That I have got chilled through and through, Mr. Solness.
SOLNESS.
[_Slowly._] I believe I understand——
HILDA.
What brings you up here just now?
SOLNESS.
I caught sight of you from over there.
HILDA.
But then you must have seen her too?
SOLNESS.
I knew she would go at once if I came.
HILDA.
Is it very painful for you that she should avoid you in this way?
SOLNESS.
In one sense, it’s a relief as well.
HILDA.
Not to have her before your eyes?
SOLNESS.
Yes.
HILDA.
Not to be always seeing how heavily the loss of the little boys weighs
upon her?
SOLNESS.
Yes. Chiefly that.
[HILDA _drifts across the verandah with her hands behind her
back, stops at the railing and looks out over the garden._
SOLNESS.
[_After a short pause._] Did you have a long talk with her?
[_HILDA stands motionless and does not answer._
SOLNESS.
Had you a long talk, I asked?
[_HILDA is silent as before._
SOLNESS.
What was she talking about, Hilda?
[_HILDA continues silent._
SOLNESS.
Poor Aline! I suppose it was about the little boys.
HILDA.
[_A nervous shudder runs through her; then she nods hurriedly
once or twice._
SOLNESS.
She will never get over it—never in this world. [_Approaches her._] Now
you are standing there again like a statue; just as you stood last
night.
HILDA.
[_Turns and looks at him, with great serious eyes._] I am going away.
SOLNESS.
[_Sharply._] Going away!
HILDA.
Yes.
SOLNESS.
But I won’t allow you to!
HILDA.
What am I to do _here_ now?
SOLNESS.
Simply to be here, Hilda!
HILDA.
[_Measures him with a look._] Oh, thank you. You know it wouldn’t end
_there_.
SOLNESS.
[_Heedlessly._] So much the better!
HILDA.
[_Vehemently._] I _cannot_ do any harm to one whom I _know_! I can’t
take away anything that belongs to her.
SOLNESS.
Who wants you to do that?
HILDA.
[_Continuing._] A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing! A
person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into close
contact with——! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!
SOLNESS.
Yes, but I never proposed you should.
HILDA.
Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And
that is why I am going away.
SOLNESS.
And what is to become of _me_ when you are gone? What shall I have to
live for _then_?—After that?
HILDA.
[_With the indefinable look in her eyes._] It is surely not so hard for
_you_. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.
SOLNESS.
Too late. These powers—these—these——
HILDA.
——devils——
SOLNESS.
Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well—they have drawn all
the life-blood out of her. [_Laughs in desperation._] They did it for my
_happiness_! Yes, yes! [_Sadly._] And now she is dead—for my sake. And I
am chained alive to a dead woman. [_In wild anguish._] _I—I_ who cannot
live without joy in life!
[HILDA _moves round the table and seats herself on the bench,
with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her
hands._
HILDA.
[_Sits and looks at him awhile._] What will you build next?
SOLNESS.
[_Shakes his head._] I don’t believe I shall build much more.
HILDA.
Not those cosy, happy homes for mother and father, and for the troop of
children?
SOLNESS.
I wonder whether there will be any use for such homes in the coming
time.
HILDA.
Poor Mr. Solness! And you have gone all these ten years—and staked your
whole life—on that alone.
SOLNESS.
Yes, you may well say so, Hilda.
HILDA.
[_With an outburst._] Oh, it all seems to me so foolish—so foolish!
SOLNESS.
All what?
HILDA.
Not to be able to grasp at your own happiness—at your own life! Merely
because some one you know happens to stand in the way!
SOLNESS.
One whom you have no right to set aside.
HILDA.
I wonder whether one really _has not_ the right! And yet, and yet——. Oh!
if one could only sleep the whole thing away!
[_She lays her arms flat down on the table, rests the left
side of her head on her hands, and shuts her eyes._
SOLNESS.
[_Turns the arm-chair and sits down at the table._] Had you a cosy,
happy home—up there with your father, Hilda?
HILDA.
[_Without stirring, answers as if half asleep._] I had only a cage.
SOLNESS.
And you are determined not to go back to it?
HILDA.
[_As before._] The wild bird never wants to go into the cage.
SOLNESS.
Rather range through the free air——
HILDA.
[_Still as before._] The bird of prey loves to range——
SOLNESS.
[_Lets his eyes rest on her._] If only one had the viking-spirit in
life——
HILDA.
[_In her usual voice; opens her eyes but does not move._] And the other
thing? Say what _that_ was!
SOLNESS.
A robust conscience.
[HILDA _sits erect on the bench, with animation. Her eyes have
once more the sparkling expression of gladness._
HILDA.
[_Nods to him._] _I_ know what you are going to build next!
SOLNESS.
Then you know more than I do, Hilda.
HILDA.
Yes, builders are such stupid people.
SOLNESS.
What is it to be then?
HILDA.
[_Nods again._] The castle.
SOLNESS.
What castle?
HILDA.
_My_ castle, of course.
SOLNESS.
Do you want a castle now?
HILDA.
Don’t you owe me a kingdom, I should like to know?
SOLNESS.
You say I do.
HILDA.
Well—you admit you owe me this kingdom. And you can’t have a kingdom
without a royal castle, I should think!
SOLNESS.
[_More and more animated._] Yes, they usually go together.
HILDA.
Good! Then build it for me! This moment!
SOLNESS.
[_Laughing._] Must you have that on the instant, too?
HILDA.
Yes, to be sure! For the ten years are up now, and I am not going to
wait any longer. So—out with the castle, Mr. Solness!
SOLNESS.
It’s no light matter to owe _you_ anything, Hilda.
HILDA.
You should have thought of that before. It is too late now. So—[_tapping
the table_]—the castle on the table! It is _my_ castle! I will have it
_at once_!
SOLNESS.
[_More seriously, leans over towards her, with his arms on the table._]
What sort of castle have you imagined, Hilda?
[_Her expression becomes more and more veiled. She seems
gazing inwards at herself._
HILDA.
[_Slowly._] My castle shall stand on a height—on a very great
height—with a clear outlook on all sides, so that I can see far—far
around.
SOLNESS.
And no doubt it is to have a high tower!
HILDA.
A tremendously high tower. And at the very top of the tower there shall
be a balcony. And I will stand out upon it——
SOLNESS.
[_Involuntarily clutches at his forehead._] How can you like to stand at
such a dizzy height——?
HILDA.
Yes, I will! Right up there will I stand and look down on the other
people—on those that are building churches, and homes for mother and
father and the troop of children. And _you_ may come up and look on at
it, too.
SOLNESS.
[_In a low tone._] Is the builder to be allowed to come up beside the
princess?
HILDA.
If the builder _will_.
SOLNESS.
[_More softly._] Then I think the builder will come.
HILDA.
[_Nods._] The builder—he will come.
SOLNESS.
But he will never be able to build any more. Poor builder!
HILDA.
[_Animated._] Oh yes, he will! We two will set to work together. And
then we will build the loveliest—the very loveliest—thing in all the
world.
SOLNESS.
[_Intently._] Hilda—tell me what that is!
HILDA.
[_Looks smilingly at him, shakes her head a little, pouts, and speaks as
if to a child._] Builders—they are such very—very stupid people.
SOLNESS.
Yes, no doubt they are stupid. But now tell me what it is—the loveliest
thing in the world—that we two are to build together?
HILDA.
[_Is silent a little while, then says with an indefinable expression in
her eyes._] Castles in the air.
SOLNESS.
Castles in the air?
HILDA.
[_Nods._] Castles in the air, yes! Do you know what sort of thing a
castle in the air is?
SOLNESS.
It is the loveliest thing in the world, you say.
HILDA.
[_Rises with vehemence, and makes a gesture of repulsion with her
hand._] Yes, to be sure it is! Castles in the air—they are so easy to
take refuge in. And so easy to build, too—[_looks scornfully at
him_]—especially for the builders who have a—a dizzy conscience.
SOLNESS.
[_Rises._] After this day we two will build together, Hilda.
HILDA.
[_With a half-dubious smile._] A real castle in the air?
SOLNESS.
Yes. One with a firm foundation under it.
RAGNAR BROVIK _comes out from the house. He is carrying a
large, green wreath with flowers and silk ribbons._
HILDA.
[_With an outburst of pleasure._] The wreath! Oh, that will be glorious!
SOLNESS.
[_In surprise._] Have _you_ brought the wreath Ragnar?
RAGNAR.
I promised the foreman I would.
SOLNESS.
[_Relieved._] Ah, then I suppose your father is better?
RAGNAR.
No.
SOLNESS.
Was he not cheered by what I wrote?
RAGNAR.
It came too late.
SOLNESS.
Too late!
RAGNAR.
When she came with it he was unconscious. He had had a stroke.
SOLNESS.
Why, then, you must go home to him! You must attend to your father!
RAGNAR.
He does not need me any more.
SOLNESS.
But surely you ought to be with him.
RAGNAR.
_She_ is sitting by his bed.
SOLNESS.
[_Rather uncertainly._] Kaia?
RAGNAR.
[_Looking darkly at him._] Yes—Kaia.
SOLNESS.
Go home, Ragnar—both to him and to her. Give me the wreath.
RAGNAR.
[_Suppresses a mocking smile._] You don’t mean that you yourself——?
SOLNESS.
I will take it down to them myself. [_Takes the wreath from him._] And
now you go home; we don’t require you to-day.
RAGNAR.
I know you do not require me any more; but to-day I shall remain.
SOLNESS.
Well, remain then, since you are bent upon it.
HILDA.
[_At the railing._] Mr. Solness, I will stand here and look on at you.
SOLNESS.
At me!
HILDA.
It will be fearfully thrilling.
SOLNESS.
[_In a low tone._] We will talk about that presently, Hilda.
[_He goes down the flight of steps with the wreath, and away
through the garden._
HILDA.
[_Looks after him, then turns to RAGNAR._] I think you might at least
have thanked him.
RAGNAR.
Thanked him? Ought I to have thanked _him_?
HILDA.
Yes, of course you ought!
RAGNAR.
I think it is rather _you_ I ought to thank.
HILDA.
How can you say such a thing?
RAGNAR.
[_Without answering her._] But I advise you to take care, Miss Wangel!
For you don’t know _him_ rightly yet.
HILDA.
[_Ardently._] Oh, no one knows him as I do!
RAGNAR.
[_Laughs in exasperation._] Thank him, when he has held me down year
after year! When he made father disbelieve in me—made me disbelieve in
myself! And all merely that he might——!
HILDA.
[_As if divining something._] That he might——? Tell me at once!
RAGNAR.
That he might keep her with him.
HILDA.
[_With a start towards him._] The girl at the desk.
RAGNAR.
Yes.
HILDA.
[_Threateningly, clenching her hands._] That is not true! You are
telling falsehoods about him!
RAGNAR.
I would not believe it either until to-day—when she said so herself.
HILDA.
[_As if beside herself._] _What_ did she say? I _will_ know! At once! at
once!
RAGNAR.
She said that he had taken possession of her mind—her whole mind—centred
all her thoughts upon himself alone. She says that she can never leave
him—that she will remain here, where _he_ is——
HILDA.
[_With flashing eyes._] She will not be allowed to!
RAGNAR.
[_As if feeling his way._] Who will not allow her?
HILDA.