LONA. [_Loudly._] Dina Dorf! RÖRLUND. What? MRS. BERNICK. What do you say? [_Great sensation._ RÖRLUND. Fled? Run away—with _him_! Impossible! BERNICK. To become his wife, Doctor Rörlund. And I have more to add. [_Aside._] Betty, collect yourself to bear what is coming. [_Aloud._] I say: Honour to that man, for he has nobly taken upon himself another’s sin. My fellow citizens, I will get clear of the lie; it has gone near to poisoning every fibre in my being. You shall know all. Fifteen years ago, it was _I_ who sinned. MRS. BERNICK. [_In a low and trembling voice._] Karsten. MARTHA. [_Likewise._] Ah, Johan——! LONA. At last you have found your true self! [_Speechless astonishment among the listeners._ BERNICK. Yes, my fellow citizens, I was guilty, and he fled. The false and vile rumours which were afterwards current, it is now in no human power to disprove. But of this I cannot complain. Fifteen years ago I swung myself aloft by aid of these rumours; whether I am now to fall with them is for you to decide. RÖRLUND. What a thunderbolt! The first man in the town——! [_Softly to_ MRS. BERNICK.] Oh, how I pity you, Mrs. Bernick! HILMAR. Such a confession! Well, I must say—— BERNICK. But do not decide this evening. I ask every one of you to go home—to collect himself—to look into himself. When your minds are calm again, it will be seen whether I have lost or gained by speaking out. Good-night! I have still much, very much, to repent of, but that concerns only my own conscience. Good-night! Away with all this show! We all feel that it is out of place here. RÖRLUND. Assuredly it is. [_Softly to_ MRS. BERNICK.] Run away! So, after all, she was quite unworthy of me. [_Half aloud, to the Committee._] Yes, gentlemen, after this, I think we had better withdraw as quickly as possible. HILMAR. How, after this, one is to hold high the banner of the ideal, I for one——Ugh! [_The announcement has meanwhile been whispered from mouth to mouth. All the members of the procession retire through the garden._ RUMMEL, SANDSTAD, _and_ VIGELAND _go off disputing earnestly but softly._ HILMAR TÖNNESEN _slips out to the right._ CONSUL BERNICK, MRS. BERNICK, MARTHA, LONA, _and_ KRAP _alone remain in the room. There is a short silence._ BERNICK. Betty, can you forgive me? MRS. BERNICK.