I could not see you at my rooms. They have no separate entrance. Come in; we are quite alone. The servants are asleep, and the Helmers are at the ball upstairs. KROGSTAD. [_Coming into the room._] Ah! So the Helmers are dancing this evening? Really? MRS. LINDEN. Yes. Why not? KROGSTAD. Quite right. Why not? MRS. LINDEN. And now let us talk a little. KROGSTAD. Have we two anything to say to each other? MRS. LINDEN. A great deal. KROGSTAD. I should not have thought so. MRS. LINDEN. Because you have never really understood me. KROGSTAD. What was there to understand? The most natural thing in the world—a heartless woman throws a man over when a better match offers. MRS. LINDEN. Do you really think me so heartless? Do you think I broke with you lightly? KROGSTAD. Did you not? MRS. LINDEN. Do you really think so? KROGSTAD. If not, why did you write me that letter? MRS. LINDEN. Was it not best? Since I had to break with you, was it not right that I should try to put an end to all that you felt for me? KROGSTAD. [_Clenching his hands together._] So that was it? And all this—for the sake of money! MRS. LINDEN. You ought not to forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We could not wait for you, Nils, as your prospects then stood. KROGSTAD. Perhaps not; but you had no right to cast me off for the sake of others, whoever the others might be. MRS. LINDEN. I don’t know. I have often asked myself whether I had the right. KROGSTAD. [_More softly._] When I had lost you, I seemed to have no firm ground left under my feet. Look at me now. I am a shipwrecked man clinging to a spar. MRS. LINDEN. Rescue may be at hand. KROGSTAD. It _was_ at hand; but then you came and stood in the way. MRS. LINDEN. Without my knowledge, Nils. I did not know till to-day that it was you I was to replace in the Bank. KROGSTAD. Well, I take your word for it. But now that you do know, do you mean to give way? MRS. LINDEN. No, for that would not help you in the least. KROGSTAD. Oh, help, help——! I should do it whether or no. MRS. LINDEN. I have learnt prudence. Life and bitter necessity have schooled me.