Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/402

 Relling.

Most people are, worse luck.

Gregers.

And what remedy are you applying in Hialmar's case?

Relling.

My usual one. I am cultivating the life-illusion[1] in him.

Gregers.

Life—illusion? I didn't catch what you said.

Relling.

Yes, I said illusion. For illusion, you know, is the stimulating principle.

Gregers.

May I ask with what illusion Hialmar is inoculated?

Relling.

No, thank you; I don't betray professional secrets to quacksalvers. You would probably go and muddle his case still more than you have already. But my method is infallible. I have applied it to Molvik as well. I have made him "dæmonic." That's the blister I have to put on his neck.

Gregers.

Is he not really dæmonic then?

Relling.

What the devil do you mean by dæmonic! It's only a piece of gibberish I've invented to keep up a spark of life in him. But for that, the poor

1 "Livslögnen," literally "the life-lie."