Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 10).djvu/367

 Solness.

Yes, but I never proposed you should.

Hilda.

Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And that is why I am going away.

Solness.

And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to live for then?—After that?

Hilda.

[With the indefinable look in her eyes.] It is surely not so hard for you. You have your duties to her Live for those duties.

Solness.

Too late. These powers—these—these

Hilda.

devils

Solness.

Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well—they have drawn all the life-blood out of her. [Laughs in desperation.] They did it for my happiness! Yes, yes! [Sadly.] And now she is dead—for my sake. And I am chained alive to a dead woman. [In wild anguish.] I—I who can-*not live without joy in life!

[Hilda moves round the table and seats herself on the bench, with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her hands.