Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/330

 Hilda. [Looking straight in front of her.] That must have been thrilling.

Solness.

Almost irresistible—quite irresistible. For at that time it appeared to me a perfectly simple and straightforward matter. I would have had it happen in the winter-time—a little before midday. I was to be out driving Aline in the sleigh. The servants at home would have made huge fires in the stoves.

Hilda For, of course, it was to be bitterly cold that day?

Solness. Rather biting, yes—and they would want Aline to find it thoroughly snug and warm when she came home.

Hilda. I suppose she is very chilly by nature?

Solness. She is. And as we drove home, we were to see the smoke.

Hilda. Only the smoke?

Solness. The smoke first. But when we came up to the garden gate, the whole of the old timber-box was to be a rolling mass of flames.—That is how I wanted it to be, you see.

Hilda. Oh why, why could it not have happened so!