"Henrik Ibsen - The Lady From The Sea" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ibsen Henrik)

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.