Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/344

 strictly secret—a house as good as ruined. Yes, it was as good as ruined, the old, respected house, that had stood through three generations. What could I, the son, the only son, do, but cast about me for a means of saving it?

Lona.

So you saved the house of Bernick at the expense of a woman.

Bernick.

You know very well that Betty loved me.

Lona.

But I?

Bernick.

Believe me, Lona, you would never have been happy with me.

Lona.

Was it your care for my happiness that made you play me false?

Bernick.

Do you think it was from selfish motives that I acted as I did? If I had stood alone then, I would have begun the world again, bravely and cheerfully. But you don't understand how the head of a great house becomes a living part of the business he inherits, with its enormous responsibility. Do you know that the welfare of hundreds, ay of thousands, depends upon him? Can you not consider that it would have been nothing short of a disaster to the whole community, which both you and I call our home, if the house of Bernick had fallen?

Lona.

Is it for the sake of the community, then, that for these fifteen years you have stood upon a lie?