Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/151

 spirit is deeply rooted in his ancestry. That is very certain.

Kroll.

Yes, and you should have taken that fact into consideration, if you had felt any affection for him. But that sort of consideration was no doubt beyond you. There is such an immeasurable difference between your antecedents and his.

Rebecca. What antecedents do you mean?

Kroll.

I am speaking of your origin—your family antecedents, Miss West.

Rebecca.

Oh, indeed! Yes, it is quite true that I come of very humble folk. Nevertheless

Kroll.

I am not thinking of rank and position. I allude to your moral antecedents.

Rebecca. Moral? In what sense?

Kroll. The circumstances of your birth.

Rebecca. What do you mean?

Kroll.

I only mention the matter because it accounts for your whole conduct.