Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/144

 Mrs. Linden.

Do you really think me so heartless? Do you think I broke with you lightly?

Krogstad.

Did you not?

Mrs. Linden.

Do you really think so?

Krogstad.

If not, why did you write me that letter?

Mrs. Linden.

Was it not best? Since I had to break with you, was it not right that I should try to put an end to all that you felt for me?

Krogstad.

[Clenching his hands together.] So that was it? And all this—for the sake of money!

Mrs. Linden.

You ought not to forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We could not wait for you, Nils, as your prospects then stood.

Krogstad.

Perhaps not; but you had no right to cast me off for the sake of others, whoever the others might be.

Mrs. Linden.

I don't know. I have often asked myself whether I had the right.

Krogstad.

[More softly.] When I had lost you, I seemed