Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/161

 new world was opening up before me. The Doctor had taught me all sorts of things—all the fragmentary knowledge of life that I possessed in those days. [With a struggle and in a scarcely audible voice.] And then

Kroll. And then?

Rosmer.

But Rebecca—I know all this.

Rebecca.

[Mastering herself.] Yes, yes—you are right. You know enough about this.

Kroll. [Looks hard at her.] Perhaps I had better go.

Rebecca.

No, please stay where you are, my dear Rector. [To Rosmer.] Well, you see, this was how it was—I wanted to take my share in the life of the new era that was dawning, with all its new ideas.—Rector Kroll told me one day that Ulric Brendel had had great influence over you while you were still a boy. I thought it must surely be possible for me to carry on his work.

Rosmer. You came here with a secret design?

Rebecca.

We two, I thought, should march onward in freedom, side by side. Ever onward. Ever farther and farther to the front. But between you