Mrs. Alving.
Yes; in my superstitious awe for duty and the proprieties, I lied to my boy, year after year. Oh, what a coward—what a coward I have been!
Manders.
You have established a happy illusion in your son's heart, Mrs. Alving; and assuredly you ought not to undervalue it.
Mrs. Alving.
H'm; who knows whether it is so happy after all? But, at any rate, I will not have any tampering with Regina. He shall not go and wreck the poor girl's life.
Manders.
No; good God—that would be terrible!
Mrs. Alving.
If I knew he was in earnest, and that it would be for his happiness
Manders.
What? What then?
Mrs. Alving.
But it couldn't be; for unfortunately Regina is not the right sort of woman.
Manders.
Well, what then? What do you mean?
Mrs. Alving.
If I weren't such a pitiful coward, I should say
