low voice.] I could not do that,
Mrs. Borkman.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Why could you not?

MRS. WILTON.
Because for me too this meant happiness.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Scornfully.] H'm, happiness, happiness----

MRS. WILTON.
I have never before known happiness in life. And I cannot
possibly drive happiness away from me, merely because it comes
so late.

MRS. BORKMAN.
And how long do you think this happiness will last?

ERHART.
[Interrupting.] Whether it lasts or does not last, mother,
it doesn't matter now!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[In anger.] Blind boy that you are! Do you not see where all
this is leading you?

ERHART.
I don't want to look into the future. I don't want to look
around me in any direction; I am only determined to live my own
life--at last!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[With deep pain.] And you call this life, Erhart!

ERHART.
Don't you see how lovely she is!

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Wringing her hands.] And I have to bear this load of shame
as well!

BORKMAN.
[At the back, harshly and cuttingly.] Ho--you are used to
bearing things of that sort, Gunhild!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Imploringly.] Borkman!

ERHART.
[Similarly.] Father!

MRS. BORKMAN.
Day after day I shall have to see my own son linked to a--a----

ERHART.
[Interrupting her harshly.] You shall see nothing of the kind,
mother! You may make your mind easy on that point. I shall not
remain here.

MRS. WILTON.
[Quickly and with decision.] We are going away, Mrs. Borkman.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Turning pale.] Are you going away, too? Together, no doubt?

MRS. WILTON.
[Nodding.] Yes, I am going abroad, to the south. I am taking
a young girl with me. And Erhart is going along with us.

MRS. BORKMAN.
With you--and a young girl?

MRS. WILTON.
Yes. It is little Frida Foldal, whom I have had living with me.
I want her to go abroad and get more instruction in music.

MRS. BORKMAN.
So you are taking her with you?

MRS. WILTON.
Yes; I can't well send her out into the world alone.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Suppressing a smile.] What do you say to this, Erhart?

ERHART.
[With some embarrassment, shrugging his shoulders.] Well,
mother, since Fanny will have it so----

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Coldly.] And when does this distinguished party set out, if
one may ask?

MRS. WILTON.
We are going at once--to-night. My covered sledge is waiting
on the road, outside the Hinkels'.

MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking her