Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/180

 My old fearless will has had its wings clipped here. It is crippled! The time is past when I had courage for anything in the world. I have lost the power of action, Rosmer.

Rosmer.

Tell me how this has come about.

Rebecca.

It has come about through my life with you.

Rosmer.

But how? How?

Rebecca.

When I was left alone with you here,—and when you had become yourself again

Rosmer.

Yes, yes?

Rebecca.

for you were never quite yourself so long as Beata lived

Rosmer.

I am afraid you are right there.

Rebecca.

But when I found myself sharing your life here,—in quiet—in solitude,—when you showed me all your thoughts without reserve—every tender and delicate feeling, just as it came to you—then the great change came over me. Little by little, you understand. Almost imperceptibly—but at last with such overwhelming force that it reached to the depths of my soul.