The Master Builder Part 66

What am I to do here now?

SOLNESS.

Simply to be here, Hilda!

HILDA.

[Measures him with a look.] Oh, thank you. You know it wouldn't end there.

SOLNESS.

[Heedlessly.] So much the better!

HILDA.

[Vehemently.] I cannot do any harm to one whom I know! I can't take away anything that belongs to her.

SOLNESS.

Who wants you to do that?

HILDA.

[Continuing.] A stranger, yes! for that is quite a different thing! A person I have never set eyes on. But one that I have come into close contact with--! Oh no! Oh no! Ugh!

SOLNESS.

Yes, but I never proposed you should.

HILDA.

Oh, Mr. Solness, you know quite well what the end of it would be. And that is why I am going away.

SOLNESS.

And what is to become of me when you are gone? What shall I have to live for then?--After that?

HILDA.

[With the indefinable look in her eyes.] It is surely not so hard for you. You have your duties to her. Live for those duties.

SOLNESS.

Too late. These powers--these--these--

HILDA. --devils--

SOLNESS.

Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well--they have drawn all the life-blood out of her. [Laughs in desperation.] They did it for my happiness! Yes, yes! [Sadly.] And now she is dead--for my sake. And I am chained alive to a dead woman. [In wild anguish.] _I_--_I_ who cannot live without joy in life!

[HILDA moves round the table and seats herself on the bench, with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her hands.

HILDA.

[Sits and looks at him awhile.] What will you build next?

SOLNESS.

[Shakes his head.] I don't believe I shall build much more.

HILDA.

Not those cosy, happy homes for mother and father, and for the troop of children?

SOLNESS.

I wonder whether there will be any use for such homes in the coming time.

HILDA.

Poor Mr. Solness! And you have gone all these ten years--and staked your whole life--on that alone.

SOLNESS.

Yes, you may well say so, Hilda.

HILDA.