Solness.
Yes, these devils! And the troll within me as well—they have drawn all the life-blood out of her. [Laughs in desperation.] They did it for my happiness! Yes, yes! [Sadly.] And now she is dead—for my sake. And I am chained alive to a dead woman. [In wild anguish.] I—I who cannot live without joy in life!
[Hilda moves round the table and seats herself on the bench, with her elbows on the table, and her head supported by her hands.
Hilda.
[Sits and looks at him awhile.] What will you build next?
Solness.
[Shakes his head.] I don’t believe I shall build much more.
Hilda.
Not those cosy, happy homes for mother and father, and for the troop of children?
Solness.