Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/217

 Brack.

[Bends over her and whispers.] No, Hedda Gabler—not so long as I say nothing.

Hedda.

[Looks frightened at him.] And if you do not say nothing,—what then?

Brack.

[Shrugs his shoulders.] There is always the possibility that the pistol was stolen.

Hedda. [Firmly.] Death rather than that.

Brack.

[Smiling.] People say such things—but they don't do them.

Hedda.

[Without replying.] And supposing the pistol was not stolen, and the owner is discovered? What then?

Brack.

Well, Hedda—then comes the scandal.

Hedda.

The scandal!

Brack.

Yes, the scandal—of which you are so mortally afraid. You will, of course, be brought before the court—both you and Mademoiselle Diana. She will have to explain how the thing happened—whether it was an accidental shot or murder. Did the pistol go off as he was trying to take it out of his pocket, to threaten her with? Or did she tear the pistol out of his hand, shoot him, and