Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/184

 begin it anew. She has broken my courage and my power of braving life out.

Hedda.

[Looking straight before her.] So that pretty little fool has had her fingers in a man's destiny. [Looks at him.] But all the same, how could you treat her so heartlessly.

Lövborg. Oh, don't say that it was heartless!

Hedda.

To go and destroy what has filled her whole soul for months and years! You do not call that heartless!

Lövborg. To you I can tell the truth, Hedda.

Hedda. The truth?

Lövborg.

First promise me—give me your word—that what I now confide to you Thea shall never know.

Hedda.

I give you my word.

Lövborg.

Good. Then let me tell you that what I said just now was untrue.

Hedda. About the manuscript?