[_Kissing her forehead._] Now my lark is speaking like a reasonable being. Did you notice how jolly Rank was this evening? NORA. Indeed? Was he? I had no chance of speaking to him. HELMER. Nor I, much; but I haven’t seen him in such good spirits for a long time. [_Looks at_ NORA _a little, then comes nearer her._] It’s splendid to be back in our own home, to be quite alone together!—Oh, you enchanting creature! NORA. Don’t look at me in that way, Torvald. HELMER. I am not to look at my dearest treasure?—at all the loveliness that is mine, mine only, wholly and entirely mine? NORA. [_Goes to the other side of the table._] You mustn’t say these things to me this evening. HELMER. [_Following._] I see you have the tarantella still in your blood—-and that makes you all the more enticing. Listen! the other people are going now. [_More softly._] Nora—soon the whole house will be still. NORA. Yes, I hope so. HELMER. Yes, don’t you, Nora darling? When we are among strangers, do you know why I speak so little to you, and keep so far away, and only steal a glance at you now and then—do you know _why_ I do it? Because I am fancying that we love each other in secret, that I am secretly betrothed to you, and that no one dreams that there is anything between us. NORA. Yes, yes, yes. I know all your thoughts are with me. HELMER. And then, when the time comes to go, and I put the shawl about your smooth, soft shoulders, and this glorious neck of yours, I imagine you are my bride, that our marriage is just over, that I am bringing you for the first time to my home—that I am alone with you for the first time—quite alone with you, in your trembling loveliness! All this evening I have been longing for you, and you only. When I watched you swaying and whirling in the tarantella—my blood boiled—I could endure it no longer; and that’s why I made you come home with me so early—— NORA. Go now, Torvald! Go away from me. I won’t have all this. HELMER. What do you mean? Ah, I see you’re teasing me, little Nora! Won’t—won’t! Am I not your husband——? [_A knock at the outer door._ NORA [_Starts._] Did you hear——? HELMER. [_Going towards the hall._] Who’s there? RANK. [_Outside._] It is I; may I come in for a moment? HELMER. [_In a low tone, annoyed._] Oh! what can he want just now? [_Aloud._] Wait a moment. [_Opens door._] Come, it’s nice of you to look in.