Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/299

 Manders.

[Turns round in terror.] Are you after me here, too?

Engstrand.

Yes, strike me dead, but I must! Oh, Lord! what am I saying? But this is a terrible ugly business, your Reverence.

Manders.

[Walks to and fro.] Alas! alas!

Regina.

What's the matter?

Engstrand.

Why, it all came of this here prayer-meeting, you see. [Softly.] The bird's limed, my girl. [Aloud.] And to think it should be my doing that such a thing should be his Reverence's doing!

Manders.

But I assure you, Engstrand

Engstrand.

There wasn't another soul except your Reverence as ever laid a finger on the candles down there.

Manders.

[Stops.] So you declare. But I certainly cannot recollect that I ever had a candle in my hand.

Engstrand.

And I saw as clear as daylight how your Reverence took the candle and snuffed it with your fingers, and threw away the snuff among the shavings.