Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/147

 Monsen.

I, too, have always had the law on my side.

The Chamberlain.

But what about your sense of right, your conscience, if you have such a thing? And how you have broken down all social order! How you have impaired the respect that should attach to wealth! People never think of asking nowadays how such and such a fortune was made, or how long it has been in such and such a family; they only ask: how much is so-and-so worth?—and they esteem him accordingly. Now I suffer by all this; I find myself regarded as a sort of associate of yours; people speak of us in one breath, because we are the two largest proprietors in the neighbourhood. This state of things I cannot endure! I tell you once for all: that is why I am set against you.

Monsen.

This state of things shall come to an end, sir; I will give up business, and make way for you at every point; but I beg you, I implore you, to help me!

The Chamberlain.

I will not.

Monsen.

I'm willing to pay what you like

The Chamberlain.

To pay! And you dare to!

Monsen.

If not for my sake, then for your son's!