Werle.
Yes, but I am afraid it can't last. A woman so situated may easily find herself in a false position, in the eyes of the world. For that matter it does a man no good, either.
Gregers.
Oh, when a man gives such dinners as you give, he can risk a great deal.
Werle.
Yes, but how about the woman, Gregers? I fear she won't accept the situation much longer; and even if she did—even if, out of attachment to me, she were to take her chance of gossip and scandal and all that
? Do you think, Gregers—you with your strong sense of justiceGregers.
[Interrupts him.] Tell me in one word: are you thinking of marrying her?
Werle. Suppose I were thinking of it? What then?
Gregers. That's what I say: what then?
Werle. Should you be inflexibly opposed to it!
Gregers. Not at all. Not by any means.
Werle. I was not sure whether your devotion to your mother's memory