n him with my own eyes right up at the top of a high
church-tower!

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible--

SOLNESS.

[Vehemently.] Impossible--impossible, yes! But there I stood all the
same!

MRS. SOLNESS.

O, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can't even bear to go out on
the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.

SOLNESS.

You may perhaps see something different this evening.

MRS. SOLNESS.

[In alarm.] No, no, no! Please God I shall never see that. I will write
at once to the doctor--and I am sure he won't let you do it.

SOLNESS.

Why, Aline--!

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh, you know you're ill, Halvard. This proves it! Oh God--Oh God!

[She goes hastily out to the right.

HILDA.

[Looks intently at him.] Is it so, or is it not?

SOLNESS.

That I turn dizzy?

HILDA.

That my master builder dares not--cannot--climb as high as he builds?

SOLNESS.

Is that the way you look at it?

HILDA.

Yes.

SOLNESS.

I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.

HILDA.

[Looks towards the bow-window.] Up there, then. Right up there--

SOLNESS.

[Approaches her.] You might have the topmost room in the tower,
Hilda--there you might live like a princess.

HILDA.

[Indefinably, between earnest and jest.] Yes, that is what you promised
me.

SOLNESS.

Did I really?

HILDA.

Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you would
give me a kingdom. And then you went and--Well!

SOLNESS.

[Cautiously.] Are you quite certain that this is not a dream--a fancy,
that has fixed itself in your mind?

HILDA.

[Sharply.] Do you mean that you did not do it?

SOLNESS.

I scarcely know myself. [More softly.] But now I know so much for
certain, that I--

HILDA.

That you--? Say it at once!

SOLNESS. --that I ought to have done it.

HILDA.

[Exclaims with animation.] Don't tell me you can ever be dizzy!

SOLNESS.

This evening, then, we will hang up the wreath--Princess Hilda.

HILDA.

[With a bitter curve of the lips.] Over your new home, yes.

SOLNESS.

Over the new house, which will never be a home for me.

[He goes out through the garden door.

HILDA.

[Looks straight in front of her with a far-away expression, and whispers
to herself. The only words audible are:]--frightfully thrilling--

ACT THIRD.