Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/403

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Irene, did you not understand that many a time I was almost beside myself under the spell of all your loveliness?

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[Continuing undisturbed.] And yet—if you had touched me, I think I should have killed you on the spot. For I had a sharp needle always upon me—hidden in my hair— [''Strokes her forehead meditatively''.] But after all—after all—that you could

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[Looks impressively at her.] I was an artist, Irene.

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[Darkly.] That is just it. That is just it.

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An artist first of all. And I was sick with the desire to achieve the great work of my life. [Losing himself in recollection.] It was to be called "The Resurrection Day "—figured in the likeness of a young woman, awakening from the sleep of death

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Our child, yes

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[Continuing.] It was to be the awakening of the noblest, purest, most ideal woman the