Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/209



Where are they?

They were drowned in the Greek Sea on the journey forth.

And Inga?

Knows nought, either of the priest's confession or of my counsel.

Her child was but nine days old when she left it, you said?

Ay, and the child she next saw was over a year

Then no living creature can here bring light! [Paces rapidly to and fro.] Almighty God, can this be true? Håkon—the King—he who holds sway over all this land, not born of royal blood!—And why should it not be like enough? Has not all fortune miraculously followed him?—Why not this also, to be taken as a child from a poor cottar's hut and laid in a king's cradle?

Whilst the whole people believes that he is the king's son

Whilst he himself believes it, Bishop—that is the heart of his fortune, that is the girdle of