Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/314



I will work out my own redemption, that is what I will do. I will begin at the bottom again. It is only through his present and his future that a man can atone for his past. Through work, indefatigable work, for all that, in my youth, seemed to give life its meaning—and that now seems a thousand times greater than it did then. Erhart, will you join with me and help me in this new life?

[Raising her hand warningly.] Do not do it, Erhart!

[Warmly.] Yes, yes, do it! Oh, help him, Erhart!

And you advise him to do that? You, the lonely, dying woman.

I don't care about myself.

No, so long as it is not I that take him from you.

Precisely so, Gunhild.

Will you, Erhart?