Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/486

Falk [seizing his arm].

Hold!

Guldstad.

       Patience; she must answer. Put your own
Question;—then her decision will be free.

Falk.

I—do you say?

Guldstad [looking steadily at him].

                The happiness of three
Lives is at stake to-day,—not mine alone.
Don't fancy it concerns you less than me;
For tho' base matter is my chosen sphere,
Yet nature made me something of a seer.
Yes, Falk, you love her. Gladly, I confess,
I saw your young love bursting into flower.
But this young passion, with its lawless power,
May be the ruin of her happiness.

Falk [firing up].

You have the face to say so?

Guldstad [quietly].

                              Years give right.
Say now you won her—

Falk [defiantly].

                       And what then?