Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/68

 Stensgård.

Oh, you should see her in her home! She thinks of nothing but her two little sisters. And how devotedly she must have nursed her mother! You know the mother was out of her mind for some years before she died.

Fieldbo.

Yes; I was their doctor at one time. But surely, my dear fellow, you don't mean that

Stensgård.

Yes, Fieldbo, I love her truly; to you I can confess it. Oh, I know what you are surprised at. You think it strange that so soon after—of course you know that I was engaged in Christiania?

Fieldbo.

Yes, so I was told.

Stensgård.

The whole thing was a disappointment. I had to break it off; it was best for all parties. Oh, how I suffered in that affair! The torture, the sense of oppression I endured! Now, thank heaven, I am out of it all. That was my reason for leaving town.

Fieldbo.

And with regard to Ragna Monsen, are you quite sure of yourself?

Stensgård.

Yes, I am indeed. There's no mistake possible in this case.