Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/210

 Brack. [Smiling.] H'm—my dear Mrs. Hedda

Hedda.

Oh, I know what you are going to say. For you are a kind of specialist too, like—you know!

Brack.

[Looking hard at her.] Eilert Lövborg was more to you than perhaps you are willing to admit to yourself. Am I wrong?

Hedda.

I don't answer such questions. I only know that Eilert Lövborg has had the courage to live his life after his own fashion. And then—the last great act, with its beauty! Ah! that he should have the will and the strength to turn away from the banquet of life—so early.

Brack.

I am sorry, Mrs. Hedda,—but I fear I must dispel an amiable illusion.

Hedda. Illusion?

Brack. Which could not have lasted long in any case.

Hedda. What do you mean?

Brack.

Eilert Lövborg did not shoot himself—voluntarily.