Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/115

 Rosmer.

And what in the world did my poor wife take it into her head to write to you about?

Mortensgård.

I have the letter at home. She begins to the effect that she is living in great anxiety and fear; there are so many malicious people about here, she says; and they think of nothing but causing you trouble and injury.

Rosmer.

Me?

Mortensgård.

Yes, so she says. And then comes the strangest part of all. Shall I go on, Pastor Rosmer?

Rosmer.

Assuredly! Tell me everything, without reserve.

Mortensgård.

The deceased lady begs and implores me to be magnanimous. She knows, she says, that it was her husband that had me dismissed from my post as teacher; and she conjures me by all that's sacred not to avenge myself.

Rosmer.

How did she suppose you could avenge yourself?

Mortensgård.

The letter says that if I should hear rumours of sinful doings at Rosmersholm, I am not to believe them; they are only spread abroad by wicked people who wish to make you unhappy.

Rosmer.

Is all that in the letter?