Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 9).djvu/162

This page needs to be proofread.

and perfect emancipation there rose that dismal, insurmountable barrier.

Rosmer. What barrier do you mean?

Rebecca.

I mean this, Rosmer: You could grow into freedom only in the clear, fresh sunshine—and here you were pining, sickening in the gloom of such a marriage.

Rosmer.

You have never before spoken to me of my marriage in that tone.

Rebecca.

No, I did not dare to, for I should have frightened you.

Kroll.

[Nods to Rosmer.] Do you hear that?

Rebecca.

[Goes on.] But I saw quite well where your deliverance lay—your only deliverance. And then I went to work.

Rosmer.

Went to work? In what way?

Kroll. Do you mean that——?

Rebecca.

Yes, Rosmer—— [Rises.] Sit still. You too, Rector Kroll. But now it must out. It was not you, Rosmer. You are innocent. It was I that