[Bursts into tears.] Oh my child, my child![child!]

Gregers.

[Huskily.] In the depths of the sea——

Hialmar.

[Jumps up.] No, no, she must live! Oh, for God’s sake, Relling—only a moment—only just till I can tell her how unspeakably I loved her all the time!

Relling.

The bullet has gone through her heart. Internal hemorrhage. Death must have been instantaneous.

Hialmar.

And I! I hunted her from me like an animal! And she crept terrified into the garret and died for love of me! [Sobbing.] I can never atone to her! I can never tell her——! [Clenches his hands and cries, upwards.] O thou above——! If thou be indeed! Why hast thou done this thing to me?

Gina.