(THE SAME SCENE--_The table has been placed in the middle of the stage, with chairs around it. A lamp is burning on the table. The door into the hall stands open. Dance music is heard in the room above_. MRS. LINDE _is sitting at the table idly turning over the leaves of a book; she tries to read, but does not seem able to collect her thoughts. Every now and then she listens intently for a sound at the outer door_.) _Mrs. Linde_ (_looking at her watch_). Not yet--and the time is nearly up. If only he does not--. (_Listens again_.) Ah, there he is. (_Goes into the hall and opens the outer door carefully. Light footsteps are heard on the stairs. She whispers_.) Come in. There is no one here. _Krogstad_ (_in the doorway_). I found a note from you at home. What does this mean? _Mrs. Linde_. It is absolutely necessary that I should have a talk with you. _Krogstad_. Really? And is it absolutely necessary that it should be here? _Mrs. Linde_. It is impossible where I live; there is no private entrance to my rooms. Come in; we are quite alone. The maid is asleep, and the Helmers are at the dance upstairs. _Krogstad_ (_coming into the room_). Are the Helmers really at a dance tonight? _Mrs. Linde_. Yes, why not? _Krogstad_. Certainly--why not? _Mrs. Linde_. Now, Nils, let us have a talk. _Krogstad_. Can we two have anything to talk about? _Mrs. Linde_. We have a great deal to talk about. _Krogstad_. I shouldn't have thought so. _Mrs. Linde_. No, you have never properly understood me. _Krogstad_. Was there anything else to understand except what was obvious to all the world--a heartless woman jilts a man when a more lucrative chance turns up. _Mrs. Linde_. Do you believe I am as absolutely heartless as all that? And do you believe that I did it with a light heart? _Krogstad_. Didn't you? _Mrs. Linde_. Nils, did you really think that? _Krogstad_. If it were as you say, why did you write to me as you did at the time? _Mrs. Linde_. I could do nothing else. As I had to break with you, it was my duty also to put an end to all that you felt for me. _Krogstad_ (_wringing his hands_). So that was it. And all this--only for the sake of money. _Mrs. Linde_. You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn't wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then. _Krogstad_. That may be so, but you had no right to throw me over for any one else's sake. _Mrs. Linde_. Indeed I don't know. Many a time did I ask myself if I had a right to do it. _Krogstad_ (_more gently_). When I lost you, it was as if all the solid ground went from under my feet. Look at me now--I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a bit of wreckage. _Mrs. Linde_. But help may be near. _Krogstad_. It _was_ near; but then you came and stood in my way. _Mrs. Linde_. Unintentionally, Nils. It was only today that I learnt it was your place I was going to take in the bank.