Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/301

 The Stranger.

Ellida and I were fully agreed that the linking of the rings was to be in every way as valid and binding as a marriage.

Ellida.

But I refuse, I tell you! Never in this world will I have anything more to do with you! Do not look at me like that! I will not, I tell you!

Wangel.

You must be out of your senses if you think you can come here and found any claim upon such a piece of child's-play as that.

The Stranger.

That is true. In the way you mean, I have certainly no claim upon her.

Wangel.

What do you want to do then? You cannot imagine that you can take her from me by force,—against her own will!

The Stranger.

No. What would be the use of that? If Ellida is to be mine, she must come of her own free will.

Ellida.

[Starts and cries out.] Of my own free will.

Wangel.

And can you suppose!

Ellida.

[To herself.] My own free will!