Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/324



Go more of you thither.

[Some of the men go.

Håkon, where is—Duke Skule?

He has made for the Uplands.

He lives, then!—My husband, may I thank God that he lives?

[In painful agitation.] Hear me, Margrete: you have been a faithful wife to me, you have followed me through good hap and ill, you have been unspeakably rich in love;—now must I cause you a heavy sorrow; I am loath to do it; but I am King, therefore must I

[In suspense.] Has it to do with—the Duke?

Yes. No bitterer lot could befall me than to live my life far from you; but if you think it must be so after what I now tell you—if you feel that you can no longer sit by my side, no longer look at me without turning pale—well, we must even part—live each alone—and I shall not blame you for it.

Part from you! How can you think such a thought? Give me your hand!