Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/289



[With increasing inward agitation.] It is too late to go into that matter now! But I must have my heart's own child again before I go! It is so unspeakably sad for me to think that I must go away from all that is called life—away from sun, and light, and air—and not leave behind me one single human being who will think of me—who will remember me lovingly and mournfully—as a son remembers and thinks of the mother he has lost.

[After a short pause.] Take him, Ella, if you can win him.

[With animation.] Do you give your consent? Can you?

[Gloomily.] Yes. And it is no great sacrifice either. For in any case he is not mine.

Thank you, thank you all the same for the sacrifice! But I have one thing more to beg of you—a great thing for me, Borkman.

Well, what is it?

I daresay you will think it childish of me—you will not understand