Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/394

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No, in those days I had not that sort of heart.

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But since then? Afterwards?

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Since then I have killed it innumerable times. By daylight and in the dark. Killed it in hatred—and in revenge—and in anguish.

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[Goes close up to the table and asks softly.] Irene—tell me now at last—after all these years —why did you go away from me? You disappeared so utterly—left not a trace behind

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[Shaking her head slowly.] Oh Arnold—why should I tell you that now—from the world beyond the grave.

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Was there some one else whom you had come to love?

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There was one who had no longer any use for my love—any use for my life.

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[Changing the subject.] H'm—don't let us talk any more of the past