Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/361

 Boletta.

[Claps her hands.] Oh great heavens—what a joy to think of!

Arnholm.

I hope you have full confidence in me?

Boletta. Yes, indeed I have.

Arnholm.

And you can place yourself and your future fully and fearlessly in my hands, Boletta? You feel you can, do you not?

Boletta.

Oh yes, certainly! Why should I not? Can you doubt it? You, my old tutor—my tutor in the old days, I mean.

Arnholm.

Not only because of that. I do not lay so much stress on that side of the matter. But—well—since you are free then, Boletta—since there is no tie that binds you,—I ask you—if you would be willing—willing to unite yourself to me—for life?

Boletta.

[Starts back in fear.] Oh—what are you saying?

Arnholm.

For your whole life, Boletta. Will you be my wife?

Boletta.

[Half to herself.] No, no, no! This is impossible! Utterly impossible!