Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/336

 Wangel.

Bought Did you say—bought?

Ellida.

Oh, I was not a bit better than you. I joined in the bargain. I went and sold myself to you.

Wangel.

[Looks at her, deeply pained.] Ellida,—have you the heart to say so?

Ellida.

Why, what else can you call it? You could not bear the void in your house; you looked about for a new wife

Wangel.

And for a new mother for the children, Ellida.

Ellida.

That too, perhaps—incidentally, as it were. Although—you did not in the least know whether I was fit to be a mother to them. You had only seen me and spoken with me once or twice. But you took a fancy to me, and so

Wangel.

Well, you may give it what name you please.

Ellida.

And I, for my part. There was I, helpless and forlorn, and utterly alone. What more natural than that I should accept the bargain—when you came and offered to maintain me all my life.

Wangel.

I assure you I did not think of it in that light,