_Krogstad_. I will tell you. I want to rehabilitate myself, Mrs. Helmer; I want to get on; and in that your husband must help me. For the last year and a half I have not had a hand in anything dishonourable, and all that time I have been struggling in most restricted circumstances. I was content to work my way up step by step. Now I am turned out, and I am not going to be satisfied with merely being taken into favour again. I want to get on, I tell you. I want to get into the Bank again, in a higher position. Your husband must make a place for me-- _Nora_. That he will never do! _Krogstad_. He will; I know him; he dare not protest. And as soon as I am in there again with him, then you will see! Within a year I shall be the manager's right hand. It will be Nils Krogstad and not Torvald Helmer who manages the Bank. _Nora_. That's a thing you will never see! _Krogstad_. Do you mean that you will--? _Nora_. I have courage enough for it now. _Krogstad_. Oh, you can't frighten me. A fine, spoilt lady like you-- _Nora_. You will see, you will see. _Krogstad_. Under the ice, perhaps? Down into the cold, coal-black water? And then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognizable, with your hair fallen out-- _Nora_. You can't frighten me. _Krogstad_. Nor you me. People don't do such things, Mrs. Helmer. Besides, what use would it be? I should have him completely in my power all the same. _Nora_. Afterwards? When I am no longer-- _Krogstad_. Have you forgot that it is I who have the keeping of your reputation? (_Nora stands speechlessly looking at him.)_ Well, now, I have warned you. Do not do anything foolish. When Helmer has had my letter, I shall expect a message from him. And be sure you remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this again. I will never forgive him for that. Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer. (_Exit through the hall.)_ _Nora_ (_goes to the hall door, opens it slightly and listens_). He is going. He is not putting the letter in the box. Oh, no, no, that's impossible! (_Opens the door by degrees._) What is that? He is standing outside. He is not going downstairs. Is he hesitating? Can he--? (_A letter drops into the box; then_ KROGSTAD'S _footsteps are heard, till they die away as he goes downstairs._ NORA _utters a stifled cry, and runs across the room to the table by the sofa. A short pause_.) _Nora_. In the letter-box. (_Steals across to the hall-door_.) There it lies--Torvald, Torvald, there is no hope for us now! (MRS. LINDE _comes in from the room on the left, carrying the dress_.) _Mrs. Linde_. There, I can't see anything more to mend now. Would you like to try it on--? _Nora_ (_in a hoarse whisper_). Christine, come here. _Mrs. Linde_ (_throwing the dress down on the sofa_). What is the matter with you? You look so agitated! _Nora_. Come here. Do you see that letter? There, look--you can see it through the glass in the letter-box.