The Lady From the Sea by Ibsen Henrik

Author:Ibsen, Henrik [Ibsen, Henrik]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Classics, Historical
ISBN: 9781840022070
Amazon: 1840022078
Goodreads: 3075768
Publisher: Oberon Books
Published: 1888-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

ACT FOUR

The conservatory, the garden in view. BOLETTE sits on the sofa, embroidering. LYNGSTRAND sits at the round table. In the garden BALLESTED paints, watched by HILDE.

LYNGSTRAND: That looks very complicated, the edging.

BOLETTE: Not really, not so long as you keep count of the stitches.

LYNGSTRAND: Is it your own design?

BOLETTE: No, no, I need something to copy.

LYNGSTRAND: So it’s not really an art.

BOLETTE: More of a handicraft.

LYNGSTRAND: You might, perhaps, become more artistic.

BOLETTE: I don’t have the talent.

LYNGSTRAND: But if you were influenced, say, by an artist…

BOLETTE: You mean I could learn from him?

LYNGSTRAND: It could happen. By degrees.

BOLETTE: That would be a wonder.

LYNGSTRAND: Miss Wangel – have you ever – I mean, did it ever occur to you – have you ever thought about marriage?

BOLETTE: I beg your pardon?

LYNGSTRAND: I have.

BOLETTE: Oh?

LYNGSTRAND: Yes. I think about it a lot. A woman could be transformed –

BOLETTE: Transformed?

LYNGSTRAND: – by her husband’s influence.

BOLETTE: Why would she want that?

LYNGSTRAND: In order to…so that she…

BOLETTE: Could share his interests, you mean?

LYNGSTRAND: Exactly.

BOLETTE: And acquire his abilities.

LYNGSTRAND: Absolutely. It could happen. Gradually. In a happy marriage.

BOLETTE: What about the other way round?

LYNGSTRAND: I’m sorry?

BOLETTE: He might get to grow like her.

LYNGSTRAND: Oh, no!

BOLETTE: Why not?

LYNGSTRAND: A man has his work, his vocation. It gives him a higher purpose in life, a calling.

BOLETTE: And that’s true of all men? Every single one?

LYNGSTRAND: Well, artists in particular.

BOLETTE: You think they should marry? That an artist should be married?

LYNGSTRAND: Oh, yes. If there is someone he really loves.

BOLETTE: He shouldn’t just live for his art?

LYNGSTRAND: Of course. But he can still get married.

BOLETTE: What about her?

LYNGSTRAND: Who?

BOLETTE: The woman, the wife. What is she to live for?

LYNGSTRAND: Him! She’ll live for his art, then she’ll be happy too. Believe me, Miss Wangel, there’s the honour of being the wife of an artist – she can help him, inspire him, make his life easier by looking after him, seeing that he’s comfortable. What a wonderful destiny for a woman!

BOLETTE: Do you know… I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a barrel of conceit in all my life.

LYNGSTRAND: Conceit? No – no, not if you know me, Miss Wangel. When I’m gone – I shall be gone soon –

BOLETTE: Stop it, don’t say such dreadful things!

LYNGSTRAND: Dreadful? What do you mean? I shall be going away, to the Mediterranean.

BOLETTE: Yes, of course, of course.

LYNGSTRAND: Will you promise me something?

BOLETTE: What?

LYNGSTRAND: To think of me after I’ve gone?

BOLETTE: Very well.

LYNGSTRAND: Would you promise?

BOLETTE: I promise.

LYNGSTRAND: Cross your heart?

BOLETTE: Cross my heart. (Her mood changes.) For what it’s worth.

LYNGSTRAND: Don’t say that. You don’t know what it means to me. To know that you’ll be sitting here, thinking of me.

BOLETTE: But then what?

LYNGSTRAND: I don’t know.

BOLETTE: There’s everything in the way.

LYNGSTRAND: You never know. Miracles can happen. I’m lucky, I’m convinced of it.

BOLETTE: (Eagerly.) Are you? Are you?

LYNGSTRAND: Yes! In a year or two I’ll be back. I’ll have made my name, I’ll have money, I’ll be well –

BOLETTE: Of course you will.

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