Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/336

 Solness. [Walks about the room.] Oh, there are devils innumerable abroad in the world, Hilda, that one never sees!

Hilda. Devils, too?

Solness. [Stops.] Good devils and bad devils; light-haired devils and black-haired devils. If only you could always tell whether it is the light or dark ones that have got hold of you! [Paces about.] Ho-ho! Then it would be simple enough!

Hilda. [Follows him with her eyes.] Or if one had a really vigorous, radiantly healthy conscience—so that one dared to do what one would.

Solness. [Stops beside the console table.] I believe, now, that most people are just as puny creatures as I am in that respect.

Hilda. I shouldn't wonder.

Solness. [Leaning against the table.] In the sagas. Have you read any of the old sagas?

Hilda. Oh yes! When I used to read books, I