Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/360

 Boletta.

[Seizes his hands.] Yes, I really think I may. I don't know how it is, but [With an outburst of emotion] Oh—I could both laugh and cry for joy!—for sheer happiness! Oh—to think that I shall learn what life is, after all; I was beginning to be so afraid that it would slip away from me.

Arnholm.

You need not be afraid of that, dear Boletta. But now you must tell me quite frankly whether there is anything—any tie that binds you here?

Boletta. Any tie? No, none.

Arnholm. None at all?

Boletta.

No, none whatever. That is,—of course father is a tie—in a way. And Hilda too. But

Arnholm.

Well—your father you will have to leave sooner or later; and Hilda too will one day take her own path in life; that is only a question of time. But otherwise there is nothing to bind you, Boletta? No engagement of any sort?

Boletta.

No, nothing of the kind. So far as that is concerned, I can quite well go wherever I please.

Arnholm.

Well then, if that is the case, my dear Boletta—you shall come away with me.