Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/420

 much for the sake of the invention itself, as because Hedvig believed in it—believed in it with a child's whole eagerness of faith.—At least, I have been fool enough to go and imagine that she believed in it.

Gregers.

Can you really think that Hedvig has been false towards you?

Hialmar.

I can think anything now. It is Hedvig that stands in my way. She will blot out the sunlight from my whole life.

Gregers.

Hedvig! Is it Hedvig you are talking of? How should she blot out your sunlight?

Hialmar.

[Without answering.] How unutterably I have loved that child! How unutterably happy I have felt every time I came home to my humble room, and she flew to meet me, with her sweet little blinking eyes. Oh, confiding fool that I have been! I loved her unutterably;—and I yielded myself up to the dream, the delusion, that she loved me unutterably in return.

Gregers.

Do you call that a delusion?

Hialmar.

How should I know? I can get nothing out of Gina; and besides, she is totally blind to the ideal side of these complications. But to you I feel impelled to open my mind, Gregers. I cannot