Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/135



[Looks searchingly at him.] Then that was the only reason? Say it, Alfred! The only reason? [Conquering himself.] No, there was another as well. [With an outburst.] I can guess what that was! It was "my gold, and my green forests," as you call it. Was it not so, Alfred? Yes. [Looks at him with deep reproach.] How could you—how could you! I had Asta to think of. [Angrily.] Yes, Asta! [Bitterly.] Then it was really Asta that brought us two together? She knew nothing about it. She has no suspicion of it, even to this day. [Rejecting the plea.] It was Asta, nevertheless! [Smiling, with a sidelong glance of