But I have seen him with my own eyes right up at the top of a high church-tower!

MRS. SOLNESS.

Yes, I hear people talk of that; but it is utterly impossible--

SOLNESS.

[Vehemently.] Impossible--impossible, yes! But there I stood all the same!

MRS. SOLNESS.

O, how can you say so, Halvard? Why, you can't even bear to go out on the second-storey balcony here. You have always been like that.

SOLNESS.

You may perhaps see something different this evening.

MRS. SOLNESS.

[In alarm.] No, no, no! Please G.o.d I shall never see that. I will write at once to the doctor--and I am sure he won't let you do it.

SOLNESS.

Why, Aline--!

MRS. SOLNESS.

Oh, you know you're ill, Halvard. This proves it! Oh G.o.d--Oh G.o.d!

[She goes hastily out to the right.

HILDA.

[Looks intently at him.] Is it so, or is it not?

SOLNESS.

That I turn dizzy?

HILDA.

That my master builder dares not--cannot--climb as high as he builds?

SOLNESS.

Is that the way you look at it?

HILDA.

Yes.

SOLNESS.

I believe there is scarcely a corner in me that is safe from you.

HILDA.

[Looks towards the bow-window.] Up there, then. Right up there--

SOLNESS.

[Approaches her.] You might have the topmost room in the tower, Hilda--there you might live like a princess.

HILDA.

[Indefinably, between earnest and jest.] Yes, that is what you promised me.

SOLNESS.

Did I really?

HILDA.

Fie, Mr. Solness! You said I should be a princess, and that you would give me a kingdom. And then you went and--Well!

SOLNESS.

[Cautiously.] Are you quite certain that this is not a dream--a fancy, that has fixed itself in your mind?