Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/359

 Boletta.

[Clasping her hands.] Oh how glorious! But all this is utterly impossible. If father neither will nor canThere is no one else in the whole world that I can turn to.

Arnholm.

Could you not let your old—your former tutor come to your aid?

Boletta.

You, Mr. Arnholm? Would you really?

Arnholm.

Stand by you? Yes, with the greatest of pleasure, both in word and deed; that you may rely upon. Do you accept my offer then? Tell me! Do you consent?

Boletta.

Do I consent? To leave home—to see the world—to learn something really worth knowing—to do everything that has seemed to me most delightful and impossible?

Arnholm.

Yes, all this is now within your reach, if only you will.

Boletta.

And you will help me to this unspeakable happiness. Oh—but tell me—can I accept so great a gift from a stranger?

Arnholm.

You can quite well accept it from me, Boletta. From me you may accept anything.