[_Takes bonnet and cloak._ HELMER’S _and_ NORA’S _voices are heard outside, a key is turned in the lock, and_ HELMER _drags_ NORA _almost by force into the hall. She wears the Italian costume with a large black shawl over it. He is in evening dress and wears a black domino, open._ NORA. [_Struggling with him in the doorway._] No, no, no! I won’t go in! I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early! HELMER. But, my dearest girl——! NORA. Oh, please, please, Torvald, I beseech you—only one hour more! HELMER. Not one minute more, Nora dear; you know what we agreed. Come, come in; you’re catching cold here. [_He leads her gently into the room in spite of her resistance._ MRS. LINDEN. Good-evening. NORA. Christina! HELMER. What, Mrs. Linden! You here so late? MRS. LINDEN. Yes, I ought to apologise. I did so want to see Nora in her costume. NORA. Have you been sitting here waiting for me? MRS. LINDEN. Yes; unfortunately I came too late. You had gone upstairs already, and I felt I couldn’t go away without seeing you. HELMER. [_Taking_ NORA’S _shawl off._] Well then, just look at her! I assure you she’s worth it. Isn’t she lovely, Mrs. Linden? MRS. LINDEN. Yes, I must say—— HELMER. Isn’t she exquisite? Every one said so. But she’s dreadfully obstinate, dear little creature. What’s to be done with her? Just think, I had almost to force her away. NORA. Oh, Torvald, you’ll be sorry some day that you didn’t let me stay, if only for one half-hour more. HELMER. There! You hear her, Mrs. Linden? She dances her tarantella with wild applause, and well she deserved it, I must say—though there was, perhaps, a little too much nature in her rendering of the idea—more than was, strictly speaking, artistic. But never mind—the point is, she made a great success, a tremendous success. Was I to let her remain after that—to weaken the impression? Not if I know it. I took my sweet little Capri girl—my capricious little Capri girl, I might say—under my arm; a rapid turn round the room, a curtsey to all sides, and—as they say in novels—the lovely apparition vanished! An exit should always be effective, Mrs. Linden; but I can’t get Nora to see it. By Jove! it’s warm here. [_Throws his domino on a chair and opens the door to his room._] What! No light there? Oh, of course. Excuse me—— [_Goes in and lights candles._ NORA.