Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 6).djvu/91

 Stensgård.

Then in that way old Daniel Heire has indeed been an instrument for good

The Chamberlain.

That is how one thing leads to another in this life, you see. We are all instruments, Mr. Stensgård; you, like the rest of us; an instrument of wrath, I suppose

Stensgård.

Oh, don't speak of it, Chamberlain. I am utterly ashamed

The Chamberlain.

Ashamed?

Stensgård.

It was most unbecoming

The Chamberlain.

The form was perhaps open to criticism, but the intention was excellent. And now I want to ask you, in future, when you are contemplating any move of the sort, just to come to me and tell me of it openly, and without reserve. You know we all want to act for the best; and it is my duty

Stensgård.

You will permit me to speak frankly to you?

The Chamberlain.

Of course I will. Do you think I haven't long realised that matters here have in some ways taken a most undesirable turn? But what was I to do? In the late King's time I lived for the most part in Stockholm. I am old now; and besides, it is not in my nature to take the lead in reforms, or to