Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/319



[Measuring her scornfully with her eye.] Yes, indeed! That I can easily believe.

[With self-control.] Mrs. Borkman, there are forces in human life that you seem to know very little about.

What forces, may I ask?

The forces which ordain that two people shall join their lives together, indissolubly—and fearlessly.

[With a smile.] I thought you were already indissolubly bound—to another.

[Shortly.] That other has deserted me.

But he is still living, they say.

He's dead to me.

[Insistently.] Yes, mother, he is dead to Fanny. And besides, this other makes no difference to me!