Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 4).djvu/164



[Shrugging his shoulders.]

Old fossil Highnesses who make it Their pride to keep plebeian blots Excluded from their line's escutcheon.

Then nothing came of the affair?

The family opposed the marriage?

Far from it!

Ah!

[With forbearance.]

You understand That certain circumstances made for Their marrying us without delay. But truth to tell, the whole affair Was, first to last, distasteful to me. I'm finical in certain ways, And like to stand on my own feet. And when my father-in-law came out With delicately veiled demands That I should change my name and station, And undergo ennoblement, With much else that was most distasteful, Not to say quite inacceptable.— Why then I gracefully withdrew, Point-blank declined his ultimatum— And so renounced my youthful bride.

[Drums on the table with a devout air.