Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/298



He wants to come to an understanding with you, Gunhild.

He has never tried that before.

He is going to, this evening.

The last time we stood face to face—it was in the Court, when I was summoned to give an account

[Approaching.] And this evening it is I who will give an account of myself.

[Looking at him.] You?

Not of what I have done amiss. All the world knows that.

[With a bitter sigh.] Yes, that is true; all the world knows that.

But it does not know why I did it; why I had to do it. People do not understand that I had to, because I was myself—because I was