Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/436

 Aune.

She shall be, Consul—and with the new machines!

Bernick.

So be it—but thoroughly and honestly, mind. There are a good many things here that need thorough and honest overhauling. So good-night, Aune.

Aune.

Good-night, Consul—and thank you heartily.

[He goes out to the right.

Mrs. Bernick.

Now they are all gone.

Bernick.

And we are alone. My name no longer shines in the transparencies; all the lights are out in the windows.

Lona.

Would you have them lighted again?

Bernick.

Not for all the world. Where have I been? You will be horrified when you know. I am feeling now as if I had just come to my senses again after being poisoned. But I feel—I feel that I can be young and strong again. Oh, come nearer—closer around me. Come, Betty! Come, Olaf! Come, Martha! Oh, Martha, it seems as though I had never seen you during all these years.

Lona.

No, I daresay not; your society is a society of bachelor-souls; you have no eyes for womanhood.