Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/160



[Going towards her.] You said you preferred to be alone.

Yes, but I dare not. It is getting so horribly dark. I seem to see great, open eyes fixed upon me!

[Tenderly and sympathetically.] What if it were so, Rita? You ought not to be afraid of those eyes.

How can you say so! Not afraid!

[Insistently.] Asta, I beg you—for Heaven's sake—remain here with Rita!

Yes! And with Alfred, too. Do! Do, Asta!

[Struggling with herself.] Oh, I want to so much

Well, then, do it! For Alfred and I cannot go alone through the sorrow and heartache.

[Darkly.] Say, rather—through the ranklings of remorse.