The Lady From The Sea | Page 8

who--who could not respond as you desired. It seemed like re- opening
a painful subject.
Arnholm. Hm. Yes, yes, perhaps you were right.
Ellida. But why didn't you write?
Arnholm (looks at her and smiles, half reproachfully). I make the first
advance? Perhaps expose myself to the suspicion of wanting to begin
all over again? After such a repulse as I had had?
Ellida. Oh no! I understand very well. Have you never since thought of
forming any other tie?
Arnholm. Never! I have been faithful to my first memories.
Ellida (half jestingly). Nonsense! Let the sad old memories alone.
You'd better think of becoming a happy husband, I should say.
Arnholm. I should have to be quick about it, then, Mrs. Wangel.
Remember, I'm already--I'm ashamed to say--I'm past thirty-seven.
Ellida. Well, all the more reason for being quick. (She is silent for a

moment, and then says, earnestly, in a low voice.) But listen, dear
Arnholm; now I am going to tell you something that I could not have
told you then, to save my life.
Arnholm. What is it?
Ellida. When you took the--the useless step you were just speaking
of--I could not answer you otherwise than I did.
Arnholm. I know that you had nothing but friendship to give me; I
know that well enough.
Ellida. But you did not know that all my mind and soul were then given
elsewhere.
Arnholm. At that time!
Ellida. Yes.
Arnholm. But it is impossible. You are mistaken about the time. I
hardly think you knew Wangel then.
Ellida. It is not Wangel of whom I speak.
Arnholm. Not Wangel? But at that time, out there at Skjoldviken-- I
can't remember a single person whom I can imagine the possibility of
your caring for.
Ellida. No, no, I quite believe that; for it was all such bewildering
madness--all of it.
Arnholm. But tell me more of this.
Ellida. Oh! it's enough if you know I was bound then; and you know it
now.
Arnholm. And if you had not been bound?
Ellida. Well?
Arnholm. Would your answer to my letter have been different?
Ellida. How can I tell? When Wangel came the answer was different.
Arnholm. What is your object, then, in telling me that you were bound?
Ellida (getting up, as if in fear and unrest). Because I must have
someone in whom to confide. No, no; sit still.
Arnholm. Then your husband knows nothing about this?
Ellida. I confessed to him from the first that my thoughts had once been
elsewhere. He never asked to know more, and we have never touched
upon it since. Besides, at bottom it was simply madness. And then it
was over directly--that is to a certain extent.
Arnholm (rising). Only to a certain extent? Not quite?
Ellida. Yes, yes, it is! Oh, good heavens! Dear Arnholm, it is not what

you think. It is something so absolutely incomprehensible, I don't know
how I could tell it you. You would only think I was ill, or quite mad.
Arnholm. My dearest lady! Now you really must tell me all about it.
Ellida. Well, then, I'll try to. How will you, as a sensible man, explain
to yourself that--(Looks round, and breaks off.) Wait a moment. Here's
a visitor.
(LYNGSTRAND comes along the road, and enters the garden. He has
a flower in his button-hole, and carries a large, handsome bouquet done
up in paper and silk ribbons. He stands somewhat hesitatingly and
undecidedly by the verandah.)
Ellida (from the arbour). Have you come to see the girls, Mr.
Lyngstrand?
Lyngstrand (turning round). Ah, madam, are you there? (Bows, and
comes nearer.) No, it's not that. It's not the young ladies. It's you
yourself, Mrs. Wangel. You know you gave me permission to come
and see you-
Ellida. Of course I did. You are always welcome here.
Lyngstrand. Thanks; and as it falls out so luckily that it's a festival here
today--
Ellida. Oh! Do you know about that?
Lyngstrand. Rather! And so I should like to take the liberty of
presenting this to Mrs. Wangel. (Bows, and offers her the bouquet.)
Ellida (smiling). But, my dear Mr. Lyngstrand, oughtn't you to give
these lovely flowers to Mr. Arnholm himself? For you know it's really
he-
Lyngstrand (looking uncertainly at both of them). Excuse me, but I
don't know this gentleman. It's only--I've only come about the birthday,
Mrs. Wangel.
Ellida. Birthday? You've made a mistake, Mr. Lyngstrand. There's no
birthday here today.
Lyngstrand (smiling slyly). Oh! I know all about that! But I didn't think
it was to be kept so dark.
Ellida. What do you know?
Lyngstrand. That it is Madam's birthday.
Ellida. Mine?
Arnholm (looks questioningly at her). Today? Surely not.
Ellida (to LYNGSTRAND). Whatever made you think that?

Lyngstrand. It was Miss