Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 8).djvu/431

 Relling.

[Goes over to Gregers and says:] No one shall ever convince me that the pistol went off by accident.

Gregers.

[Who has stood terrified, with convulsive twitchings.] Who can say how the dreadful thing happened?

Relling.

The powder has burnt the body of her dress. She must have pressed the pistol right against her breast and fired.

Gregers.

Hedvig has not died in vain. Did you not see how sorrow set free what is noble in him?

Relling.

Most people are ennobled by the actual presence of death. But how long do you suppose this nobility will last in him?

Gregers.

Why should it not endure and increase throughout his life?

Relling.

Before a year is over, little Hedvig will be nothing to him but a pretty theme for declamation.

Gregers.

How dare you say that of Hialmar Ekdal?

Relling.

We will talk of this again, when the grass has first withered on her grave. Then you'll hear