Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/85

 Selma.

We fairy princesses have no family.

Stensgård.

Fairy princesses?

Selma.

At most we have a wicked stepmother

Stensgård.

A witch, yes! So you are a princess!

Selma.

Princess of all the sunken palaces, whence you hear the soft music on midsummer nights. Doctor Fieldbo thinks it must be pleasant to be a princess; but I must tell you

Erik Bratsberg.

[Coming from the garden.] Ah, at last I find the little lady!

Selma.

The little lady is telling Mr. Stensgård the story of her life.

Erik.

Oh, indeed. And what part does the husband play in the little lady's story?

Selma.

The Prince, of course. [To Stensgård.] You know the prince always comes and breaks the spell, and then all ends happily, and every one calls and congratulates, and the fairy-tale is over.

Stensgård.

Oh, it's too short.