Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/318



Yes, you can surely see for yourself that it is impossible. Or what?

I should rather say that it seems highly improbable. But it's so, none the less.

[Turning.] Are you really in earnest about this, Erhart?

This means happiness for me, mother—all the beauty and happiness of life. That is all I can say to you.

[Clenching her hands together; to ] Oh, how you have cajoled and deluded my unhappy son!

[Raising her head proudly.] I have done nothing of the sort.

You have not, you say!

No. I have neither cajoled nor deluded him. Erhart came to me of his own free will. And of my own free will I went out half-way to meet him.