HELMER. Two visiting-cards—from Rank. NORA. From Doctor Rank? HELMER. [_Looking at them._] Doctor Rank. They were on the top. He must just have put them in. NORA. Is there anything on them? HELMER. There’s a black cross over the name. Look at it. What an unpleasant idea! It looks just as if he were announcing his own death. NORA. So he is. HELMER. What! Do you know anything? Has he told you anything? NORA. Yes. These cards mean that he has taken his last leave of us. He is going to shut himself up and die. HELMER. Poor fellow! Of course I knew we couldn’t hope to keep him long. But so soon——! And to go and creep into his lair like a wounded animal—— NORA. When we _must_ go, it is best to go silently. Don’t you think so, Torvald? HELMER. [_Walking up and down._] He had so grown into our lives, I can’t realise that he is gone. He and his sufferings and his loneliness formed a sort of cloudy background to the sunshine of our happiness.—Well, perhaps it’s best as it is—at any rate for him. [_Stands still._] And perhaps for us too, Nora. Now we two are thrown entirely upon each other. [_Takes her in his arms._] My darling wife! I feel as if I could never hold you close enough. Do you know, Nora, I often wish some danger might threaten you, that I might risk body and soul, and everything, everything, for your dear sake. NORA. [_Tears herself from him and says firmly._] Now you shall read your letters, Torvald. HELMER. No, no; not to-night. I want to be with you, my sweet wife. NORA. With the thought of your dying friend——? HELMER. You are right. This has shaken us both. Unloveliness has come between us—thoughts of death and decay. We must seek to cast them off. Till then—we will remain apart. NORA. [_Her arms round his neck._] Torvald! Goodnight! good-night! HELMER. [_Kissing her forehead!_] Good-night, my little song-bird. Sleep well, Nora. Now I shall go and read my letters. [_He goes with the letters in his hand into his room and shuts the door._ NORA.