Oh, not just on that account, surely?

Yes, yes, Miss Wangel; for it is only my duty to submit myself to him. But very often it is dreadfully difficult to force one's mind to obedience.

Yes, that must be difficult indeed.

I can tell you it is—when one has so many faults as I have—

When one has gone through so much trouble as you have—

How do you know about that?

Your husband told me.

To me he very seldom mentions these things.—Yes, I can tell you I have gone through more than enough trouble in my life, Miss Wangel.

[Looks sympathetically at her and nods slowly.] Poor Mrs. Solness. First of all there was the fire—

[With a sigh.] Yes, everything that was mine was burnt.