MRS. BORKMAN.

Well, well, suppose you do: what then?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Why, then, I am troubled as soon as I see anything threatening him.

MRS. BORKMAN.

Threatening Erhart! Why, what should threaten him? Or who?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

You in the first place--in your way.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Vehemently.] I!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

And then this Mrs. Wilton, too, I am afraid.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Looks at her for a moment in speechless surprise.] And you think such things of Erhart! Of my own boy! He, who has his great mission to fulfil!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Lightly.] Oh, his mission!

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Indignantly.] How dare you say that so scornfully?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Do you think a young man of Erhart's age, full of health and spirits--do you think he is going to sacrifice himself for--for such a thing as a "mission"?

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Firmly and emphatically.] Erhart will! I know he will.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Shaking her head.] You neither know it nor believe it, Gunhild.

MRS. BORKMAN.

I don't believe it!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

It is only a dream that you cherish. For if you hadn't that to cling to, you feel that you would utterly despair.

MRS. BORKMAN.

Yes, indeed I should despair. [Vehemently.] And I daresay that is what you would like to see, Ella!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[With head erect.] Yes, I would rather see that than see you "redeem" yourself at Erhart's expense.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Threateningly.] You want to come between us? Between mother and son? You?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

I want to free him from your power--your will--your despotism.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Triumphantly.] You are too late! You had him in your nets all these years--until he was fifteen. But now I have won him again, you see!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Then I will win him back from you! [Hoa.r.s.ely, half whispering.]

We two have fought a life-and-death battle before, Gunhild--for a man's soul!

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Looking at her in triumph.] Yes, and I won the victory.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[With a smile of scorn.] Do you still think that victory was worth the winning?

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Darkly.] No; Heaven knows you are right there.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

You need look for no victory worth the winning this time either.

MRS. BORKMAN.

Not when I am fighting to preserve a mother's power over my son!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

No; for it is only power over him that you want.

MRS. BORKMAN.

And you?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Warmly.] I want his affection--his soul--his whole heart!

MRS. BORKMAN.

[With an outburst.] That you shall never have in this world!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Looking at her.] You have seen to that?

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could you not see that in his letters?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you--the whole of you--in his letters of late.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight years. I have had him under my own eye, you see.