登陆注册
19687000000010

第10章 ACT II(4)

Ellida. Oh! You can surely understand that I soon came to my senses again--that I saw how absolutely mad and meaningless it had all been.

Wangel. But you spoke just now of letters. So you have heard from him since?

Ellida. Yes, I have heard from him. First I had a few short lines from Archangel. He only wrote he was going to America. And then he told me where to send an answer.

Wangel. And did you?

Ellida. At once. I wrote him, of course, that all must be at an end between us; and that he must no longer think of me, just as Ishould no longer think of him.

Wangel. But did he write again?

Ellida. Yes, he wrote again.

Wangel. And what was his answer to your communication?

Ellida. He took no notice of it. It was exactly as if I had never broken with him. He wrote quite composedly and calmly that I must wait for him. When he could have me he would let me know, and then I was to go to him at once.

Wangel. So he would not release you?

Ellida. No. Then I wrote again, almost word for word as I had before; or perhaps more firmly.

Wangel. And he gave in?

Ellida. Oh, no! Don't think that! He wrote quietly, as before--not a word of my having broken with him. Then I knew it was useless, and so I never wrote to him again.

Wangel. And you never heard from him?

Ellida. Oh, yes! I have had three letters since then. Once he wrote to me from California, and a second time from China. The last letter I had from him was from Australia. He wrote he was going to the gold-mines; but since then he has made no sign.

Wangel. This man has had a strange power over you, Ellida.

Ellida. Yes, yes! The terrible man!

Wangel. But you mustn't think of that any more. Never again--never! Promise me that, my dear, beloved Ellida. Now we must try another treatment for you. Fresher air than here within the fjords. The salt, fresh air of the sea! Dear, what say you to that?

Ellida. Oh! don't speak of it! Don't think of it! There is no help in this for me. I feel that so well. I can't shake it off--not even there.

Wangel. What, dear?--What do you really mean?

Ellida. I mean the horror of it, this incomprehensible power over the mind.

Wangel. But you have shaken it off--long since--when you broke with him. Why, all this is long past now.

Ellida (springing up). No; that it is not--it is not!

Wangel. Not past?

Ellida. No, Wangel, it is not past; and I fear it never will be--never, in all our life.

Wangel (in a pained voice). Do you mean to say that in your innermost heart you have never been able to forget this strange man?

Ellida. I had forgotten him; but then it was as if he had suddenly come back again.

Wangel. How long ago is that?

Ellida. It's about three years ago, now, or a little longer. It was just when I expected the child.

Wangel. Ah! at that time? Yes, Ellida--now I begin to understand many things.

Ellida. You are mistaken, dear. What has come to me? Oh! Ibelieve nothing on earth will ever make it clear.

Wangel (looking sadly at her). Only to think that all these three years you have cared for another man. Cared for another. Not for me--but for another!

Ellida. Oh! you are so utterly mistaken! I care for no one but you.

Wangel (in a subdued voice). Why, then, in all this time have you not lived with me as my wife?

Ellida. Because of the horror that comes from the strange man.

Wangel. The horror?

Ellida. Yes, the horror. A horror so terrible--such as only the sea could hold. For now you shall hear, Wangel.

(The young townsfolk come back, bow, and pass out to the right.

同类推荐
  • 成具光明定意经

    成具光明定意经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Wildfire

    Wildfire

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Around

    Around

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • Cleopatra

    Cleopatra

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 云蕉馆纪谈

    云蕉馆纪谈

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 网游之杀戮魔神

    网游之杀戮魔神

    夜弦是一个高三学生,正因为生活费不够用的情况所困惑,在去海边街的路上差点被一个盒子绊倒,结果发现了一款叫做《万界》游戏,进入游戏后夜弦发现这款游戏的仿真的99%相似于现实,于是夜弦从此迷上了这款游戏!夜弦的生活究竟是否会因为一款游戏而改变呢?且看夜弦是如何在现实与游戏中大放光彩!!
  • 佛顶放无垢光明入普门观察一切如来心陀罗尼经

    佛顶放无垢光明入普门观察一切如来心陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 品味谈吃

    品味谈吃

    本书介绍了饮食的基本知识,对食料和品味尤其注重,趣味和知识性都很强。
  • 明玉珍

    明玉珍

    本书以纪实文学的笔法,描述了20世纪的大营救:“悲壮的奇迹”、“马尼拉的奇迹”、“史无前例的大空运”等27例。
  • 日月凌空

    日月凌空

    真的不会写简介,等以后有了灵感再说吧,好伤感,没有20字。
  • 和美女在荒岛求生的日子

    和美女在荒岛求生的日子

    到飞机上参加前女友的婚礼,一场意外,使我们全部流落到荒岛之上,在荒岛上,我和她们这些人生活在一起。飞机上的我你爱理不理,荒岛上的我你高攀不起!带你走进真正的荒岛世界,体验人性最真实的一面。
  • 末世歌之光珍调

    末世歌之光珍调

    一次出游紫禁城,竟与自己的前世邂逅?!梦回那个传奇的年代,见证一段乱世绝恋。拥笔轻书,百年之后,我依旧还记得你哦——那年春天,花开正好。御花园前,石头记畔,你轻轻的一回眸:“三生三世,缘起缘灭,我只在乎这一世,与你相见。”——文案
  • 绝代女琴师:舞清歌

    绝代女琴师:舞清歌

    异世重生,她不过是司徒家有名无实的六小姐。为了达成当初的约定,她不惜学习那人的琴技。琴弦一拨,伤人三分,琴曲一落,必取一人性命。古代豪门的司徒家,为求上位处处暗流涌动,甚至不惜毁人根基。皇室子弟,郡王之子,江湖侠客,不知何因聚首琴灵山庄,将本就浑浊不堪的水搅乱,更是令那蠢动的杀机渐渐浮出水面。是功成名就,或是功败垂成,又或是另一场波诡云涌的风云再现……
  • 娘子好抢手

    娘子好抢手

    她只不过在大街上遇到痞子,急中生智借用了下他的名声喊了声相公,他就抓住她不放,还让皇上给他们主婚,还好到最后关头她逃跑了。那这个王爷又是怎么回事啊,不过是看了他几眼,然后说了个谢谢,在然后不小心跳舞被他看到了嘛,有必要丢下青梅竹马来半路抢亲吗?还有那个堡主,自己不过就是在行礼的时候红盖头不小心掉下来了,人家来抢亲,你盯着我干嘛,你在盯我可不嫁给你喏!哼,我还怕你怎样,想娶本姑娘的人多的是!
  • 往生逆缘

    往生逆缘

    这是是生与死的较量!一个个宗派,一块块大陆!不断有尔虞我诈,不断的是嬉笑怒骂,不断地努力挣扎!有时候生存只是一念之差,而死亡才是不变的永恒,掌握生与死,做完整的自己!!