---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.
[With an outburst.] Oh, it all seems to me so foolish--so foolish!
SOLNESS.
All what?
HILDA.
Not to be able to grasp at your own happiness--at your own life!
Merely because some one you know happens to stand in the way!
SOLNESS.
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