s impulse within me that urged and goaded
me to come--and lured and drew me on, as well.

SOLNESS.

[Eagerly.] There we have it! There we have it, Hilda! There is the troll
in you too, as in me. For it's the troll in one, you see--it is that
that calls to the powers outside us. And then you must give in--whether
you will or no.

HILDA.

I almost think you are right, Mr. Solness.

SOLNESS.

[Walks about the room.] Oh, there are devils innumerable abroad in the
world, Hilda, that one never sees.

HILDA.

Devils, too?

SOLNESS.

[Stops.] Good devils and bad devils; light-haired devils and
black-haired devils. If only you could always tell whether it is the
light or dark ones that have got hold of you! [Paces about.] Ho-ho! Then
it would be simple enough!

HILDA.

[Follows him with her eyes.] Or if one had a really vigorous, radiantly
healthy conscience--so that one dared to do what one would.

SOLNESS.

[Stops beside the console table.] I believe, now, that most people are
just as puny creatures as I am in that respect.

HILDA.

I shouldn't wonder.

SOLNESS.

[Leaning against the table.] In the sagas--. Have you read any of the
old sagas?

HILDA.

Oh yes! When I used to read books, I--

SOLNESS.

In the sagas you read about vikings, who sailed to foreign lands, and
plundered and burned and killed men--

HILDA.

And carried off women--

SOLNESS. --and kept them in captivity--

HILDA. --took them home in their ships--

SOLNESS. --and behaved to them like--like the very worst of trolls.

HILDA.

[Looks straight before her, with a half-veiled look.] I think that must
have been thrilling.

SOLNESS.

[With a short, deep laugh.] To carry off women, eh?

HILDA.

To be carried off.

SOLNESS.

[Looks at her a moment.] Oh, indeed.

HILDA.

[As if breaking the thread of the conversation.] But what made you speak
of these vikings, Mr. Solness?

SOLNESS.

Why, those fellows must have had robust consciences, if you like!
When they got home again, they could eat and drink, and be as happy as
children. And the women, too! They often would not leave them on any
account. Can you understand that, Hilda?

HILDA.

Those women I can understand exceedingly well.

SOLNESS.

Oho! Perhaps you could do the same yourself?

HILDA.

Why not?

SOLNESS.

Live--of your own free will--with a ruffian like that?

HILDA.

If it was