nerously, it was I that put it in your power to do so.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Smiling.] H'm! In my power----

BORKMAN.
[Warmly.] Yes, put it in your power, I say! On the eve of the
great decisive battle--when I could not afford to spare either kith
or kin--when I had to grasp at--when I did grasp at the millions
that were entrusted to me--then I spared all that was yours, every
farthing, although I could have taken it, and made use of it, as
I did of all the rest!

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Coldly and quietly.] That is quite true, Borkman.

BORKMAN.
Yes it is. And that was why, when they came and took me, they
found all your securities untouched in the strong-room of the bank.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looking at him.] I have often and often wondered what was your
real reason for sparing all my property? That, and that alone.

BORKMAN.
My reason?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, your reason. Tell me.

BORKMAN.
[Harshly and scornfully.] Perhaps you think it was that I might
have something to fall back upon, if things went wrong?

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Oh no, I am sure you did not think of that in those days.

BORKMAN.
Never! I was so absolutely certain of victory.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
Well then, why was it that----?

BORKMAN.
[Shrugging his shoulders.] Upon my soul, Ella, it is not so
easy to remember one's motives of twenty years ago. I only know
that when I used to grapple, silently and alone, with all the
great projects I had in my mind, I had something like the feeling
of a man who is starting on a balloon voyage. All through my
sleepless nights I was inflating my giant balloon, and preparing
to soar away into perilous, unknown regions.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Smiling.] You, who never had the least doubt of victory?

BORKMAN.
[Impatiently.] Men are made so, Ella. They both doubt and
believe at the same time. [Looking straight before him.] And
I suppose that was why I would not take you and yours with me
in the balloon.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Eagerly.] Why, I ask you? Tell me why!

BORKMAN.
[Without looking at her.] One shrinks from risking what one
holds dearest on such a voyage.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
You had risked what was dearest to you on that voyage. Your
whole future life----

BORKMAN.
Life is not always what one holds dearest.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Breathlessly.] Was that how you felt at that time?

BORKMAN.
I fancy it was.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
I was the dearest thing in the wo