The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
No doubt it must have been. I thought so from the first.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
What is this lady’s name, Inspector?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
She has registered herself as “Madame de Satow, with companion.” We know nothing more.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Reflecting.] Satow? Satow——?
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[Laughing mockingly.] Do you know any one of that name, Rubek? Eh?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Shaking his head.] No, no one.—Satow? It sounds Russian—or at all events Slavonic. [To theInspector.] What language does she speak?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
When the two ladies talk to each other, it is in a language I cannot make out at all. But at other times she speaks Norwegian like a native.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Exclaims with a start.] Norwegian? You are sure you are not mistaken?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
No, how could I be mistaken in that?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looks at him with eager interest.] You have heard her yourself?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
Yes. I myself have spoken to her—several times.—Only a few words, however; she is far from communicative. But——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
But Norwegian it was?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
Thoroughly good Norwegian—perhaps with a little north-country accent.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Gazing straight before him in amazement, Whispers.]Thattoo!
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[A little hurt and jarred.] Perhaps this lady has been one of your models, Rubek? Search your memory.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looks cuttingly at her.] My models!
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[With a provoking smile.] In your younger days, I mean. You are said to have had such innumerable models—long ago, of course.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[In the same tone.] Oh no, little Frau Maia. I have in reality had only one single model. One and one only—for everything I have done.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
[Who has turned away and stands looking out to the left.] If you’ll excuse me, I think I will take my leave. I see some one coming whom it is not practically agreeable to meet. Especially in the presence of ladies.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looking in the same direction.] That sportsman there? Who is it?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
It is a certain Mr. Ulfheim, from——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Oh, Mr. Ulfheim——
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
—the bear-killer, as they call him——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
I know him.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
Who doesnotknow him?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Very slightly, however. Is he on your list of patients—at last?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
No, strangely enough—not as yet. He comes here only once a year—on his way up to his hunting-grounds.—Excuse me for the moment——
[Makes a movement to go into the hotel.
Ulfheim’s Voice.
Ulfheim’s Voice.
Ulfheim’s Voice.
[Heard outside.] Stop a moment, man! Devil take it all, can’t you stop? Why do you always scuttle away from me?
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
[Stops.] I am not scuttling at all, Mr. Ulfheim.
[Ulfheimenters from the left followed by a servant with a couple of sporting dogs in leash.Ulfheimis in shooting costume, with high boots and a felt hat with a feather in it. He is a long, lank, sinewy personage, with matted hair and beard, and a loud voice. His appearance gives no precise clue to his age, but he is no longer young.]
[Ulfheimenters from the left followed by a servant with a couple of sporting dogs in leash.Ulfheimis in shooting costume, with high boots and a felt hat with a feather in it. He is a long, lank, sinewy personage, with matted hair and beard, and a loud voice. His appearance gives no precise clue to his age, but he is no longer young.]
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Pounces upon theInspector.] Isthisa way to receive strangers, hey? You scamper away with your tail between your legs—as if you had the devil at your heels.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
[Calmly, without answering him.] Has Mr. Ulfheim arrived by the steamer?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Growls.] Haven’t had the honour of seeing any steamer. [With his arms akimbo.] Don’t you know thatIsail my own cutter? [To theServant.] Look well after your fellow-creatures, Lars. But take care you keep them ravenous, all the same. Fresh meat-bones—but not too much meat on them, do you hear? And be sure it’s reeking raw, and bloody. And get something in your own belly while you’re about it. [Aiming a kick at him.] Now then, go to hell with you!
[TheServantgoes out with the dogs, behind the corner of the hotel.]
[TheServantgoes out with the dogs, behind the corner of the hotel.]
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
Would not Mr. Ulfheim like to go into the dining-room in the meantime?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
In among all the half-dead flies and people? No, thank you a thousand times, Mr. Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
Well, well, as you please.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
But get the housekeeper to prepare a hamper for me as usual. There must be plenty of provender in it—and lots of brandy—! You can tell her that I or Lars will come and play Old Harry with her if she doesn’t——
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
The Inspector.
[Interrupting.] We know your ways of old. [Turning.] Can I give the waiter any orders, Professor? Can I send Mrs. Rubek anything?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
No thank you; nothing for me.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
Nor for me.
[TheInspectorgoes into the hotel.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Stares at them a moment; then lifts his hat.] Why, blast me if here isn’t a country tyke that has strayed into regular tip-top society.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looking up.] What do you mean by that, Mr. Ulfheim?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[More quietly and politely.] I believe I have the honour of addressing no less a person than the great Sculptor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Nods.] I remember meeting you once or twice—the autumn when I was last at home.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
That’s many years ago now, though. And then you weren’t so illustrious as I hear you’vesince become. At that time even a dirty bear-hunter might venture to come near you.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Smiling.] I don’t bite even now.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[Looks with interest atUlfheim.] Areyoureally and truly a bear-hunter?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Seating himself at the next table, nearer the hotel.] A bear-hunter when I have the chance, madam. But I make the best of any sort of game that comes in my way—eagles, and wolves, and women, and elks, and reindeer—if only it’s fresh and juicy and has plenty of blood in it.
[Drinks from his pocket-flask.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[Regarding him fixedly.] But you like bear-hunting best?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
I like it best, yes. For then one can have the knife handy at a pinch. [With a slight smile.] We both work in a hard material, madam—both your husband and I. He struggles with his marble blocks, I daresay; and I struggle with tense and quivering bear-sinews. And we both of us win the fight in the end—subdue and master our material. We never rest till we’ve got the upper hand of it, though it fight never so hard.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Deep in thought.] There’s a great deal of truth in what you say.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Yes, for I take it the stone has something to fight for too. It is dead, and determined by no manner of means to let itself be hammered into life. Just like the bear when you come and prod it up in its lair.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
Are you going up into the forests now to hunt?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
I am going right up into the high mountains.—I suppose you have never been in the high mountains, madam?
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
No, never.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Confound it all then, you must be sure and come up there this very summer! I’ll take you with me—both you and the Professor, with pleasure.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
Thanks. But Rubek is thinking of taking a sea trip this summer.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Round the coast—through the island channels.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ugh—what the devil would you do in those damnable sickly gutters—floundering about in the brackish ditchwater? Dishwater I should rather call it.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
There, you hear, Rubek!
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
No, much better come up with me to the mountains—away, clean away, from the trail and taint of men. You can’t think what that means forme. But such a little lady——
[He stops.
[TheSister of Mercycomes out of the pavilion and goes into the hotel.
[TheSister of Mercycomes out of the pavilion and goes into the hotel.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Following her with his eyes.] Just look at her, do! That night-crow there!—Who is it that’s to be buried?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
I have not heard of any one——
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Well, there’s some one on the point of giving up the ghost, then—in one corner or another.—People that are sickly and rickety should have the goodness to see about getting themselves buried—the sooner the better.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
Have you ever been ill yourself, Mr. Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Never. If I had, I shouldn’t be here.—But my nearest friends—theyhave been ill, poor things.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
And what did you do for your nearest friends?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Shot them, of course.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looking at him.] Shot them?
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[Moving her chair back.] Shot them dead?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Nods.] I never miss, madam.
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
But how can you possibly shoot people!
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
I am not speaking of people——
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
You said your nearest friends——
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Well, who should they be but my dogs?
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
Are your dogs your nearest friends?
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
I have none nearer. My honest, trusty, absolutely loyal comrades—. When one of them turns sick and miserable—bang!—and there’s my friend sent packing—to the other world.
[TheSister of Mercycomes out of the hotel with a tray on which is bread and milk. She places it on the table outside the pavilion, which she enters.
[TheSister of Mercycomes out of the hotel with a tray on which is bread and milk. She places it on the table outside the pavilion, which she enters.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Laughs scornfully.] That stuff there—is that what you call food for human beings! Milk and water and soft, clammy bread. Ah, you should see my comrades feeding. Should you like to see it?
Maia.
Maia.
Maia.
[Smiling across to theProfessorand rising.] Yes, very much.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
Ulfheim.
[Also rising.] Spoken like a woman of spirit, madam! Come with me, then! They swallow whole great thumping meat-bones—gulp them up and then gulp them down again. Oh, it’s a regular treat to see them. Come along and I’ll show you—and while we’re about it, we can talk over this trip to the mountains——
[He goes out by the corner of the hotel,Maiafollowing him.
[He goes out by the corner of the hotel,Maiafollowing him.
[Almost at the same moment theStrange Ladycomes out of the pavilion and seats herself at the table.
[Almost at the same moment theStrange Ladycomes out of the pavilion and seats herself at the table.
[The Ladyraises her glass of milk and is about to drink, but stops and looks across atRubekwith vacant, expressionless eyes.
[The Ladyraises her glass of milk and is about to drink, but stops and looks across atRubekwith vacant, expressionless eyes.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Remains sitting at his table and gazes fixedly and earnestly at her. At last he rises, goes some steps towards her, stops, and says in a low voice.] I know you quite well, Irene.
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
[In a toneless voice, setting down her glass.] You can guess who I am, Arnold?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Without answering.] And you recognise me, too, I see.
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
With you it is quite another matter.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
With me?—How so?
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
Oh, you are still alive.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Not understanding.] Alive——?
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
[After a short pause.] Who was the other? The woman you had with you—there at the table?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[A little reluctantly.] She? That was my—my wife.
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
[Nods slowly.] Indeed. That is well, Arnold. Some one, then, who does not concern me——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Nods.] No, of course not——
The Lady.
The Lady.
The Lady.
—one whom you have taken to you aftermylifetime.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Suddenly looking hard at her.] Afteryour—? What do you mean by that, Irene?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Without answering.] And the child? I hear the child is prospering too. Our child survives me—and has come to honour and glory.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Smiles as at a far-off recollection.] Our child? Yes, we called it so—then.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
In my lifetime, yes.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Trying to take a lighter tone.] Yes, Irene.—I can assure you “our child” has become famous all the wide world over. I suppose you have read about it.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Nods.] And has made its father famous too.—That was your dream.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[More softly, with emotion.] It is to you I owe everything, everything, Irene—and I thank you.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Lost in thought for a moment.] If I had then done what I had a right to do, Arnold——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Well? What then?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
I should have killed that child.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Killed it, you say?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Whispering.] Killed it—before I went away from you. Crushed it—crushed it to dust.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Shakes his head reproachfully.] You would never have been able to, Irene. You had not the heart to do it.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
No, in those days I had not that sort of heart.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
But since then? Afterwards?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Since then I have killed it innumerable times. By daylight and in the dark. Killed it in hatred—and in revenge—and in anguish.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Goes close up to the table and asks softly.] Irene—tell me now at last—after all these years—why did you go away from me? You disappeared so utterly—left not a trace behind——
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Shaking her head slowly.] Oh Arnold—why should I tell you that now—from the world beyond the grave.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Was there some one else whom you had come to love?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
There was one who had no longer any use for my love—any use for my life.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Changing the subject.] H’m—don’t let us talk any more of the past——
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
No, no—by all means let us not talk of what is beyond the grave—what is now beyond the grave forme.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Where have you been, Irene? All my inquiries were fruitless—you seemed to have vanished away.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
I went into the darkness—when the child stood transfigured in the light.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Have you travelled much about the world?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Yes. Travelled in many lands.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looks compassionately at her.] And what have you found to do, Irene?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Turning her eyes upon him.] Wait a moment; let me see—. Yes, now I have it. I have posed on the turntable in variety-shows. Posed as a naked statue in living pictures. Raked in heaps of money. That was more than I could do with you; for you had none.—And then I turned the heads of all sorts of men. That, too, was more than I could do with you, Arnold. You kept yourself better in hand.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Hastening to pass the subject by.] And then you have married, too?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Yes; I married one of them.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Who is your husband?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
He was a South American. A distinguished diplomatist. [Looks straight in front of her with a stony smile.] Him I managed to drive quite out of his mind; mad—incurably mad; inexorably mad.—It was great sport, I can tell you—while it was in the doing. I could have laughed within me all the time—if Ihadanything within me.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
And where is he now?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Oh, in a churchyard somewhere or other. With a fine handsome monument over him. And with a bullet rattling in his skull.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Did he kill himself?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Yes, he was good enough to take that off my hands.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Do you not lament his loss, Irene?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Not understanding.] Lament? What loss?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Why, the loss of Herr von Satow, of course.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
His name was not Satow.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Was it not?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
My second husband is called Satow. He is a Russian——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
And where ishe?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Far away in the Ural Mountains. Among all his gold-mines.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
So he livesthere?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Shrugs her shoulders.] Lives? Lives? In reality I have killed him——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Starts.] Killed——!
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Killed him with a fine sharp dagger which I always have with me in bed——
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Vehemently.] I don’t believe you, Irene!
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[With a gentle smile.] Indeed you may believe it, Arnold.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Looks compassionately at her.] Have you never had a child?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Yes, I have had many children.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
And where are your children now?
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
I killed them.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Severely.] Now you are telling me lies again!
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
I have killed them, I tell you—murdered them pitilessly. As soon as ever they came into the world. Oh, long, long before. One after the other.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Sadly and earnestly.] There is something hidden behind everything you say.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
How can I help that? Every word I say is whispered into my ear.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
I believe I am the only one that can divine your meaning.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
Surely you ought to be the only one.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
[Rests his hands on the table and looks intently at her.] Some of the strings of your nature have broken.
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Gently.] Does not that always happen when a young warm-blooded woman dies?
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Professor Rubek.
Oh Irene, have done with these wild imaginings—! You are living! Living—living!
Irene.
Irene.
Irene.
[Rises slowly from her chair and says, quivering.] I was dead for many years. They came and bound me—laced my arms together behind my back—. Then they lowered me into a grave-vault,with iron bars before the loop-hole. And with padded walls—so that no one on the earth above could hear the grave-shrieks—. But now I am beginning, in a way, to rise from the dead.