Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/240

 their reputation. But at last, Mr. Manders—for you must know the whole story—the most repulsive thing of all happened.

Manders.

More repulsive than what you have told me!

Mrs. Alving.

I had gone on bearing with him, although I knew very well the secrets of his life out of doors. But when he brought the scandal within our own walls

Manders.

Impossible! Here!

Mrs. Alving.

Yes; here in our own home. It was there [Pointing towards the first door on the right], in the dining-room, that I first came to know of it. I was busy with something in there, and the door was standing ajar. I heard our housemaid come up from the garden, with water for those flowers.

Manders.

Well?

Mrs. Alving.

Soon after, I heard Alving come in too. I heard him say something softly to her. And then I heard—[With a short laugh]—oh! it still sounds in my ears, so hateful and yet so ludicrous—I heard my own servant-maid whisper, "Let me go, Mr. Alving! Let me be!"

Manders.

What unseemly levity on his part! But it