Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/256

 to him, "Marry her, or make what arrangement you please, only let us have nothing underhand about it."

Manders.

Merciful heavens, would you let them marry! Anything so dreadful! so unheard of

Mrs. Alving.

Do you really mean "unheard of"? Frankly, Pastor Manders, do you suppose that throughout the country there are not plenty of married couples as closely akin as they?

Manders.

I don't in the least understand you.

Mrs. Alving.

Oh yes, indeed you do.

Manders.

Ah, you are thinking of the possibility that Alas! yes, family life is certainly not always so pure as it ought to be. But in such a case as you point to, one can never know—at least with any certainty. Here, on the other hand—that you, a mother, can think of letting your son!

Mrs. Alving.

But I cannot—I wouldn't for anything in the world; that is precisely what I am saying.

Manders.

No, because you are a "coward," as you put it. But if you were not a "coward," then? Good God! a connection so shocking!