Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/216



Not when I am fighting to preserve a mother's power over my son!

No; for it is only power over him that you want.

And you?

[Warmly.] I want his affection—his soul—his whole heart!

[With an outburst.] That you shall never have in this world!

[Looking at her.] You have seen to that?

[Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could you not see that in his letters?

[Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you—the whole of you—in his letters of late.

[Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight years, I have had him under my own eye, you see.