Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/428

 now conscious that a desire, a craving, for power, influence, and respect has been the motive of most of my actions.

Rummel.

[Half aloud.] What next?

Bernick.

Before my fellow citizens I do not reproach myself for this; for I still believe that I may claim a place among the foremost of our men of practical usefulness.

Many Voices.

Yes, yes, yes!

Bernick.

What I do blame myself for is my weakness in constantly adopting indirect courses, because I knew and feared the tendency of our society to suspect impure motives behind everything a man undertakes. And now I come to a case in point.

Rummel.

[Anxiously.] H'm—h'm!

Bernick.

There are rumours abroad of great purchases of property along the projected line. This property I have bought—all of it—I alone.

Suppressed Voices.

What does he say? The Consul? Consul Bernick?

Bernick.

It is for the present in my hands. Of course, I have confided in my fellow workers, Messrs. Rummel, Vigeland, and Sandstad, and we have agreed to