_Nora_. I assure you, Torvald, that is not an easy question to answer. I really don't know. The thing perplexes me altogether. I only know that you and I look at it in quite a different light. I am learning, too, that the law is quite another thing from what I supposed; but I find it impossible to convince myself that the law is right. According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her husband's life. I can't believe that. _Helmer_. You talk like a child. You don't understand the conditions of the world in which you live. _Nora_. No, I don't. But now I am going to try. I am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world or I. _Helmer_. You are ill, Nora; you are delirious; I almost think you are out of your mind. _Nora_. I have never felt my mind so clear and certain as to-night. _Helmer_. And is it with a clear and certain mind that you forsake your husband and your children? _Nora_. Yes, it is. _Helmer_. Then there is only one possible explanation. _Nora_. What is that? _Helmer_. You do not love me any more. _Nora_. No, that is just it. _Helmer_. Nora!--and you can say that? _Nora_. It gives me great pain, Torvald, for you have always been so kind to me, but I cannot help it. I do not love you any more. _Helmer_ (_regaining his composure_). Is that a clear and certain conviction too? _Nora_. Yes, absolutely clear and certain. That is the reason why I will not stay here any longer. _Helmer_. And can you tell me what I have done to forfeit your love? _Nora_. Yes, indeed I can. It was to-night, when the wonderful thing did not happen; then I saw you were not the man I had thought you. _Helmer_. Explain yourself better--I don't understand you. _Nora_. I have waited so patiently for eight years; for, goodness knows, I knew very well that wonderful things don't happen every day. Then this horrible misfortune came upon me; and then I felt quite certain that the wonderful thing was going to happen at last. When Krogstad's letter was lying out there, never for a moment did I imagine that you would consent to accept this man's conditions. I was so absolutely certain that you would say to him: Publish the thing to the whole world. And when that was done-- _Helmer_. Yes, what then?--when I had exposed my wife to shame and disgrace? _Nora_. When that was done, I was so absolutely certain, you would come forward and take everything upon yourself, and say: I am the guilty one. _Helmer_. Nora--! _Nora_. You mean that I would never have accepted such a sacrifice on your part? No, of course not. But what would my assurances have been worth against yours? That was the wonderful thing which I hoped for and feared; and it was to prevent that, that I wanted to kill myself. _Helmer_. I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora--bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves. _Nora_. It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.