erely that he might--!

HILDA.

[As if divining something.] That he might--? Tell me at once!

RAGNAR.

That he might keep her with him.

HILDA.

[With a start towards him.] The girl at the desk.

RAGNAR.

Yes.

HILDA.

[Threateningly, clenching her hands.] That is not true! You are telling
falsehoods about him!

RAGNAR.

I would not believe it either until to-day--when she said so herself.

HILDA.

[As if beside herself.] What did she say? I will know! At once! at once!

RAGNAR.

She said that he had taken possession of her mind--her whole
mind--centred all her thoughts upon himself alone. She says that she can
never leave him--that she will remain here, where he is--

HILDA.

[With flashing eyes.] She will not be allowed to!

RAGNAR.

[As if feeling his way.] Who will not allow her?

HILDA.

[Rapidly.] He will not either!

RAGNAR.

Oh no--I understand the whole thing now. After this, she would merely
be--in the way.

HILDA.

You understand nothing--since you can talk like that! No, _I_ will tell
you why he kept hold of her.

RAGNAR.

Well then, why?

HILDA.

In order to keep hold of you.

RAGNAR.

Has he told you so?

HILDA.

No, but it is so. It must be so! [Wildly.] I will--I will have it so!

RAGNAR.

And at the very moment when you came--he let her go.

HILDA.

It was you--you that he let go! What do you suppose he cares about
strange women like her?

RAGNAR.

[Reflects.] Is it possible that all this time he has been afraid of me?

HILDA.

He afraid! I would not be so conceited if I were you.

RAGNAR.

Oh, he must have seen long ago that I had something in me, too.
Besides--cowardly--that is just what he is, you see.

HILDA.

He! Oh yes, I am likely to believe that!

RAGNAR.

In a certain sense he is cowardly--he, the great master builder. He is
not afraid of robbing others of their happiness--as he has done both
for my father and me. But when it comes to climbing up a paltry bit of
scaffolding--he will do anything rather than that.

HILDA.

Oh, you should just have seen him high, high up--at the dizzy height
where I once saw him.

RAGNAR.

Did you see that?

HILDA.

Yes, indeed I did. How free and great he looked as he stood and fastened
the wreath to the church vane!

RAGNAR.

I know that he ventured that, once in his life--one solitary time. It is
a legend among us youn