Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/309



[Hardly.] You are losing him to me—yes. And that is just as it should be.

[Looking beseechingly at him.] Erhart, I cannot afford to lose you. For, I must tell you, I am a lonely—dying woman.

Dying?

Yes, dying. Will you come and be with me to the end? Attach yourself wholly to me? Be to me, as though you were my own child?

[Interrupting.] And forsake your mother, and perhaps your mission in life as well? Will you, Erhart?

I am condemned to death. Answer me, Erhart.

[Warmly, with emotion.] Aunt Ella, you have been unspeakably good to me. With you I grew up in as perfect happiness as any boy can ever have known

Erhart, Erhart!