A very rich woman. You don't know her.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I have heard her name. Mrs. Fanny Wilton, is it not----?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, quite right.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Erhart has mentioned her several times. Does she live out
here now?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, she has taken a villa here; she moved out from town some
time ago.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With a slight hesitation.] They say she is divorced from
her husband.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Her husband has been dead for several years.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, but they were divorced. He got a divorce.

MRS. BORKMAN.
He deserted her, that is what he did. I am sure the fault
wasn't hers.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you know her at all intimately, Gunhild?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Oh yes, pretty well. She lives close by here; and she looks in
every now and then.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And do you like her?

MRS. BORKMAN.
She is unusually intelligent; remarkably clear in her judgments.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
In her judgments of people, do you mean?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, principally of people. She has made quite a study of
Erhart; looked deep into his character--into his soul. And
the result is she idolises him, as she could not help doing.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With a touch of finesse.] Then perhaps she knows Erhart still
better than she knows you?

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, Erhart saw a good deal of her in town, before she came
out here.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Without thinking.] And in spite of that she moved out of town?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Taken aback, looking keenly at her.] In spite of that! What
do you mean?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Evasively.] Oh, nothing particular.

MRS. BORKMAN.
You said it strangely--you did mean something by it, Ella!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looking her straight in the eyes.] Yes, that is true, Gunhild!
I did mean something by it.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Well, then, say it right out.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
First let me tell you, I think I too have a certain claim upon
Erhart. Do you think I haven't?

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Glancing round the room.] No doubt--after all the money you
have spent upon him.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh, not on that account, Gunhild. But because I love him.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Smiling scornfully.] Love my son? Is it possible? You? In
spite of everything?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, it is possible--in spite of everything. And it is true.
I love Erhart--as much as I can love any one--now--at my time of
life.

MRS. BORKMAN.
W