Rita.

Because you were consumed with mistrust of yourself. Because you had begun to doubt whether you had any great vocation to live for in the world.

Allmers.

[Observing her closely.] Could you see that in me?

Rita.

Oh, yes—little by little. And then you needed something new to fill up your life.—It seems I was not enough for you any longer.

Allmers.

That is the law of change, Rita.

Rita.

And that was why you wanted to make a prodigy of poor little Eyolf.