_Rank_. Would you really make me so happy for once? _Nora_. Ah, but you don't know what it is yet. _Rank_. No--but tell me. _Nora_. I really can't, Doctor Rank. It is something out of all reason; it means advice, and help, and a favour-- _Rank_. The bigger a thing it is the better. I can't conceive what it is you mean. Do tell me. Haven't I your confidence? _Nora_. More than anyone else. I know you are my truest and best friend, and so I will tell you what it is. Well, Doctor Rank, it is something you must help me to prevent. You know how devotedly, how inexpressibly deeply Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me. _Rank_ (_leaning toward her_). Nora--do you think he is the only one--? _Nora_ (_with a slight start_). The only one--? _Rank_. The only one who would gladly give his life for your sake. _Nora_ (_sadly_). Is that it? _Rank_. I was determined you should know it before I went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. Now you know it, Nora. And now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else. _Nora_ (_rises deliberately and quietly_). Let me pass. _Rank_ (_makes room for her to pass him, but sits still_). Nora! _Nora_ (_at the hall door_). Helen, bring in the lamp. (_Goes over to the stove_.) Dear Doctor Rank, that was really horrid of you. _Rank_. To have loved you as much as anyone else does? Was that horrid? _Nora_. No, but to go and tell me so. There was really no need-- _Rank_. What do you mean? Did you know--? (MAID _enters with lamp, puts it down on the table, and goes out_.) Nora--Mrs. Helmer--tell me, had you any idea of this? _Nora_. Oh, how do I know whether I had or whether I hadn't. I really can't tell you--To think you could be so clumsy, Doctor Rank! We were getting on so nicely. _Bank_. Well, at all events you know now that you can command me, body and soul. So won't you speak out? _Nora_ (_looking at him_). After what happened? _Rank_. I beg you to let me know what it is. _Nora_. I can't tell you anything now. _Rank_. Yes, yes. You mustn't punish me in that way. Let me have permission to do for you whatever a man may do. _Nora_. You can do nothing for me now. Besides, I really don't need any help at all. You will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. It really is so--of course it is! (_Sits down in the rocking-chair, and looks at him with a smile_.) You are a nice sort of man, Doctor Rank!--don't you feel ashamed of yourself, now the lamp has come? _Rank_. Not a bit. But perhaps I had better go--forever? _Nora_. No, indeed, you shall not. Of course you must come here just as before. You know very well Torvald can't do without you. _Rank_. Yes, but you? _Nora_. Oh, I am always tremendously pleased when you come. _Rank_. It is just that, that put me on the wrong track. You are a riddle to me. I have often thought that you would almost as soon be in my company as in Helmer's.