Complete Works of Henrik Ibsen (267 page)

Arnholm. You must listen to me one moment, Bolette. I suppose I have greatly surprised you!

Bolette. Oh! how could such a thing from you — how could it but — but surprise me!

Arnholm. Perhaps you are right. Of course, you didn’t — you could not know it was for your sake I made this journey.

Bolette. Did you come here for — for my sake?

Arnholm. I did, Bolette. In the spring I received a letter from your father, and in it there was a passage that made me think — hm — that you held your former teacher in — in a little more than friendly remembrance.

Bolette. How could father write such a thing?

Arnholm. He did not mean it so. But I worked myself into the belief that here was a young girl longing for me to come again — No, you mustn’t interrupt me, dear Bolette! And — you see, when a man like myself, who is no longer quite young, has such a belief — or fancy, it makes an overwhelming impression. There grew within me a living, a grateful affection for you; I thought I must come to you, see you again, and tell you I shared the feelings that I fancied you had for me.

Bolette. And now you know it is not so! — that it was a mistake!

Arnholm. It can’t be helped, Bolette. Your image, as I bear it within myself, will always be coloured and stamped with the impression that this mistake gave me. Perhaps you cannot understand this; but still it is so.

Bolette. I never thought such a thing possible.

Arnholm. But now you have seen that it is possible, what do you say now, Bolette? Couldn’t you make up your mind to be — yes — to be my wife?

Bolette. Oh! it seems so utterly impossible, Mr. Arnholm. You, who have been my teacher! I can’t imagine ever standing in any other relation towards you.

Arnholm. Well, well, if you think you really cannot — Then our old relations remain unchanged, dear Bolette.

Bolette. What do you mean?

Arnholm. Of course, to keep my promise all the same. I will take care you get out into the world and see something of it. Learn some things you really want to know; live safe and independent. Your future I shall provide for also, Bolette. For in me you will always have a good, faithful, trustworthy friend. Be sure of that.

Bolette. Good heavens! Mr. Arnholm, all that is so utterly impossible now.

Arnholm. Is that impossible too?

Bolette. Surely you can see that! After what you have just said to me, and after my answer — Oh! you yourself must see that it is impossible for me now to accept so very much from you. I can accept nothing from you — nothing after this.

Arnholm. So you would rather stay at home here, and let life pass you by?

Bolette. Oh! it is such dreadful misery to think of that.

Arnholm. Will you renounce knowing something of the outer world? Renounce bearing your part in all that you yourself say you are hungering for? To know there is so infinitely much, and yet never really to understand anything of it? Think carefully, Bolette.

Bolette. Yes, yes! You are right, Mr. Arnholm.

Arnholm. And then, when one day your father is no longer here, then perhaps to be left helpless and alone in the world; or live to give yourself to another man — whom you, perhaps, will also feel no affection for —

Bolette. Oh, yes! I see how true all you say is. But still — and yet perhaps —

Arnholm
(quickly)
. Well?

Bolette
(looking at him hesitatingly)
. Perhaps it might not be so impossible after all.

Arnholm. What, Bolette?

Bolette. Perhaps it might be possible — to accept — what you proposed to me.

Arnholm. Do you mean that, after all, you might be willing to — that at all events you could give me the happiness of helping you as a steadfast friend?

Bolette. No, no, no! Never that, for that would be utterly impossible now. No — Mr. Arnholm — rather take me.

Arnholm. Bolette! You will?

Bolette. Yes, I believe I will.

Arnholm. And after all you will be my wife?

Bolette. Yes; if you still think that — that you will have me.

Arnholm. Think!
(Seizing her hand.)
Oh, thanks, thanks, Bolette. All else that you said — your former doubts — these do not frighten me. If I do not yet possess your whole heart, I shall know how to conquer it. Oh, Bolette, I will wait upon you hand and foot!

Bolette. And then I shall see something of the world? Shall live! You have promised me that?

Arnholm. And will keep my promise.

Bolette. And I may learn everything I want to?

Arnholm. I, myself, will be your teacher as formerly, Bolette. Do you remember the last school year?

Bolette
(quietly and absently)
. To think — to know — one’s self free, and to get out into the strange world, and then, not to need to be anxious for the future — not to be harassed about one’s stupid livelihood!

Arnholm. No, you will never need to waste a thought upon such matters. And that’s a good thing, too, in its way, dear Bolette, isn’t it? Eh?

Bolette. Indeed it is. That is certain.

Arnholm
(putting his arms about her)
. Oh, you will see how comfortably and easily we shall settle down together! And how well and safely and trustfully we two shall get on with one another, Bolette.

Bolette. Yes. I also begin to — I believe really — it will answer.
(Looks out to the right, and hurriedly frees herself.)
Oh, don’t say anything about this.

Arnholm. What is it, dear?

Bolette. Oh! it’s that poor (pointing} — see out there.

Arnholm. Is it your father?

Bolette. No. It’s the young sculptor. He’s down there with Hilde.

Arnholm. Oh, Lyngstrand! What’s really the matter with him?

Bolette. Why, you know how weak and delicate he is.

Arnholm. Yes. Unless it’s simply imaginary.

Bolette. No, it’s real enough! He’ll not last long. But perhaps that’s best for him.

Arnholm. Dear, why should that be best?

Bolette. Because — because — nothing would come of his art anyhow. Let’s go before they come.

Arnholm. Gladly, my dear Bolette.

(HILDE and LYNGSTRAND appear by the pond.)

Hilde. Hi, hi! Won’t your honours wait for us?

Arnholm. Bolette and I would rather go on a little in advance.
(He and BOLETTE go out to the Left.)

Lyngstrand
(laughs quietly)
. It’s very delightful here now. Everybody goes about in pairs — always two and two together.

Hilde
(looking after them)
. I could almost swear he’s proposing to her.

Lyngstrand. Really? Have you noticed anything?

Hilde. Yes. It’s not very difficult — if you keep your eyes open.

Lyngstrand. But Miss Bolette won’t have him. I’m certain of that.

Hilde. No. For she thinks he’s got so dreadfully old-looking, and she thinks he’ll soon get bald.

Lyngstrand. It’s not only because of that. She’d not have him anyhow.

Hilde. How can you know?

Lyngstrand. Well, because there’s someone else she’s promised to think of.

Hilde. Only to think of?

Lyngstrand. While he is away, yes.

Hilde. Oh! then I suppose it’s you she’s to think of.

Lyngstrand. Perhaps it might be.

Hilde. She promised you that?

Lyngstrand. Yes — think — she promised me that! But mind you don’t tell her you know.

Hilde. Oh! I’ll be mum! I’m as secret as the grave.

Lyngstrand. I think it’s awfully kind of her.

Hilde. And when you come home again — are you going to be engaged to her, and then marry her?

Lyngstrand. No, that wouldn’t very well do. For I daren’t think of such a thing during the first years. And when I shall be able to, she’ll be rather too old for me, I fancy.

Hilde. And yet you wish her to think of you?

Lyngstrand. Yes; that’s so useful to me. You see, I’m an artist. And she can very well do it, because she herself has no real calling. But all the same, it’s kind of her.

Hilde. Do you think you’ll be able to get on more quickly with your work if you know that Bolette is here thinking of you?

Lyngstrand. Yes, I fancy so. To know there is a spot on earth where a young, gentle, reserved woman is quietly dreaming about you — I fancy it must be so — so-well, I really don’t exactly know what to call it.

Hilde. Perhaps you mean — fascinating?

Lyngstrand. Fascinating! Oh, yes! Fascinating was what I meant, or something like it.
(Looks at her for a moment.)
You are so clever, Miss Hilde. Really you are very clever. When I come home again you’ll be about the same age as your sister is now. Perhaps, too, you’ll look like your sister looks now. And perhaps, too, you’ll be of the same mind she is now. Then, perhaps, you’ll be both yourself and your sister — in one form, so to say.

Hilde. Would you like that?

Lyngstrand. I hardly know. Yes; I almost think I should. But now, for this summer, I would rather you were like yourself alone, and exactly as you are.

Hilde. Do you like me best as I am?

Lyngstrand. Yes, I like you immensely as you are.

Hilde. Hm. Tell me, you who are an artist, do you think I’m right always to wear bright-coloured summer dresses?

Lyngstrand. Yes; I think you’re quite right!

Hilde. You think bright colours suit me, then?

Lyngstrand. They suit you charmingly — to my taste.

Hilde. But tell me, as an artist, how do you think I should look in black?

Lyngstrand. In black, Miss Hilde?

Hilde. Yes, all in black. Do you think I should look well?

Lyngstrand. Black’s hardly suitable for the summer. However, you’d probably look remarkably well in black, especially with your appearance.

Hilde
(looking straight in front of her)
. All in black, up to the throat; black frilling round that, black gloves, and a long black veil hanging down behind.

Lyngstrand. If you were dressed so, Miss Hilde, I should wish I were a painter, and I’d paint you as a young, beautiful, sorrowing widow!

Hilde. Or as a young, sorrowing, betrothed girl!

Lyngstrand. Yes, that would be better still. But you can’t wish to be dressed like that?

Hilde. I hardly know; but I think it’s fascinating.

Lyngstrand. Fascinating?

Hilde. Fascinating to think of, yes.
(Suddenly pointing to the left.)
Oh, just look there!

Lyngstrand
(looking)
. The great English steamer; and right by the pier!

(WANGEL and ELLIDA come in past the pond.)

Wangel. No; I assure you, dear Ellida, you are mistaken.
(Seeing the others.)
What, are you two here? It’s not in sight yet; is it, Mr. Lyngstrand?

Lyngstrand. The great English ship?

Wangel. Yes.

Lyngstrand
(pointing)
. There she is already, doctor.

Ellida. I knew it.

Wangel. Come!

Lyngstrand. Come like a thief in the night, as one might say, so quietly and noiselessly.