rld to you?

BORKMAN.
I seem to remember something of the sort.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And yet years had passed since you had deserted me--and married--
married another!

BORKMAN.
Deserted you, you say? You must know very well that it was
higher motives--well then, other motives that compelled me.
Without his support I could not have done anything.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Controlling herself.] So you deserted me from--higher motives.

BORKMAN.
I could not get on without his help. And he made you the price
of helping me.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And you paid the price. Paid it in full--without haggling.

BORKMAN.
I had no choice. I had to conquer or fall.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[In a trembling voice, looking at him.] Can what you tell me
be true--that I was then the dearest thing in the world to you?

BORKMAN.
Both then and afterwards--long, long, after.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
But you bartered me away none the less; drove a bargain with
another man for your love. Sold my love for a--for a directorship.

BORKMAN.
[Gloomily and bowed down.] I was driven by inexorable
necessity, Ella.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Rises from the sofa, quivering with passion.] Criminal!

BORKMAN.
[Starts, but controls himself.] I have heard that word before.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh, don't imagine I'm thinking of anything you may have done
against the law of the land! The use you made of all those
vouchers and securities, or whatever you call them--do you think
I care a straw about that! If I could have stood at your side
when the crash came----

BORKMAN.
[Eagerly.] What then, Ella?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Trust me, I should have borne it all so gladly along with you.
The shame, the ruin--I would have helped you to bear it all--all!

BORKMAN.
Would you have had the will--the strength?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Both the will and the strength. For then I did not know of
your great, your terrible crime.

BORKMAN.
What crime? What are you speaking of?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I am speaking of that crime for which there is no forgiveness.

BORKMAN.
[Staring at her.] You must be out of your mind.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Approaching him.] You are a murderer! You have committed the
one mortal sin!

BORKMAN.
[Falling back towards the piano.] You are raving, Ella!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
You have killed the love-life in me. [Still nearer him.] Do
you understand what that means? The Bible speaks of a mysterious
sin for which ther