large shawl over her head, stands in the doorway.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[In violent agitation.] Never to his dying day shall Erhart
be called by that name!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Shrinking back.] Gunhild!

BORKMAN.
[Harshly and threateningly.] I allow no one to come up to my
room!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Advancing a step.] I do not ask your permission.

BORKMAN.
[Going towards her.] What do you want with me?

MRS. BORKMAN.
I will fight with all my might for you. I will protect you
from the powers of evil.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
The worst "powers of evil" are in yourself, Gunhild!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Harshly.] So be it then. [Menacingly, with upstretched arm.]
But this I tell you--he shall bear his father's name! And bear
it aloft in honour again! My son's heart shall be mine--mine
and no other's.

[She goes out by the tapestry door and shuts it behind her.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Shaken and shattered.] Borkman, Erhart's life will be wrecked
in this storm. There must be an understanding between you and
Gunhild. We must go down to her at once.

BORKMAN.
[Looking at her.] We? I too, do you mean?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Both you and I.

BORKMAN.
[Shaking his head.] She is hard, I tell you. Hard as the metal
I once dreamed of hewing out of the rocks.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then try it now!

[BORKMAN does not answer, but stands looking doubtfully at her.

ACT THIRD

MRS. BORKMAN's drawing room. The lamp is still burning on
the table beside the sofa in front. The garden-room at
the back is quite dark.

MRS. BORKMAN, with the shawl still over her head, enters, in
violent agitation, by the hall door, goes up to the window,
draws the curtain a little aside, and looks out; then she
seats herself beside the stove, but immediately springs
up again, goes to the bell-pull and rings. Stands beside
the sofa, and waits a moment. No one comes. Then she
rings again, this time more violently.

THE MAID presently enters from the hall. She looks sleepy
and out of temper, and appears to have dressed in great
haste.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Impatiently.] What has become of you, Malena? I have rung
for you twice!

THE MAID.
Yes, ma'am, I heard you.

MRS. BORKMAN.
And yet you didn't come?

THE MAID.
[Sulkily.] I had to put some clothes on first, I suppose.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, you mu