Is that mere fancy?
[Laughs.] No, no—of course not! Heaven forbid! Only think—to be Solness the master builder! Halvard Solness! What could be more delightful?
Yes, I must say it seems to me you have had the luck on your side to an astounding degree.
[Suppresses a gloomy smile.] So I have. I can't complain on that score.
First of all that grim old robbers' castle was burnt down for you. And that was certainly a great piece of luck.
[Seriously.] It was the home of Aline's family. Remember that.
Yes, it must have been a great grief to her.
She has not got over it to this day—not in all these twelve or thirteen years.
But you—yourself—you rose upon the ruins. You began as a poor boy from a country village—and now you are at the head of your profession. Ah, yes, Mr. Solness, you have undoubtedly had the luck on your side.
[Looking at him with embarrassment.] Yes, but that is just what makes me so horribly afraid.