Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/340

 Mrs. Bernick.

that a man like Karsten, with his strict moral ideas

Lona.

Oh, come now, surely they're not so tremendously strict as all that.

Mrs. Bernick.

What do you dare to say?

Lona.

I dare to say that I don't believe Karsten Bernick is so very much more moral than other men.

Mrs. Bernick.

Do you still hate him, then, so bitterly? What can you want here, since you have never been able to forget that? I can't understand how you dare look him in the face, after the shameful way you insulted him.

Lona.

Yes, Betty, I forgot myself terribly that time.

Mrs. Bernick.

And how nobly he has forgiven you—he, who had done no wrong? For he couldn't help your foolish fancies. But since that time you have hated me too. [Bursts into tears.] You have always envied me my happiness. And now you come here to heap this trouble upon me—to show the town what sort of a family I have brought Karsten into. Yes; it is I that have to suffer for it all; and that's just what you want. Oh, it's hateful of you!

[She goes out crying, by the second door on the left.