Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/255

 Mrs. Alving.

Yes; in my superstitious awe for duty and the proprieties, I lied to my boy, year after year. Oh, what a coward—what a coward I have been!

Manders.

You have established a happy illusion in your son's heart, Mrs. Alving; and assuredly you ought not to undervalue it.

Mrs. Alving.

H'm; who knows whether it is so happy after all? But, at any rate, I will not have any tampering with Regina. He shall not go and wreck the poor girl's life.

Manders.

No; good God—that would be terrible!

Mrs. Alving.

If I knew he was in earnest, and that it would be for his happiness

Manders.

What? What then?

Mrs. Alving.

But it couldn't be; for unfortunately Regina is not the right sort of woman.

Manders.

Well, what then? What do you mean?

Mrs. Alving.

If I weren't such a pitiful coward, I should say