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MRS. BORKMAN.
Well, well, suppose you do: what then?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Why, then, I am troubled as soon as I see anything threatening him.
MRS. BORKMAN.
Threatening Erhart! Why, what should threaten him? Or who?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
You in the first place--in your way.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Vehemently.] I!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
And then this Mrs. Wilton, too, I am afraid.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looks at her for a moment in speechless surprise.] And you think such things of Erhart! Of my own boy! He, who has his great mission to fulfil!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Lightly.] Oh, his mission!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Indignantly.] How dare you say that so scornfully?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you think a young man of Erhart's age, full of health and spirits--do you think he is going to sacrifice himself for--for such a thing as a "mission"?
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Firmly and emphatically.] Erhart will! I know he will.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Shaking her head.] You neither know it nor believe it, Gunhild.
MRS. BORKMAN.
I don't believe it!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
It is only a dream that you cherish. For if you hadn't that to cling to, you feel that you would utterly despair.
MRS. BORKMAN.
Yes, indeed I should despair. [Vehemently.] And I daresay that is what you would like to see, Ella!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With head erect.] Yes, I would rather see that than see you "redeem" yourself at Erhart's expense.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Threateningly.] You want to come between us? Between mother and son? You?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
I want to free him from your power--your will--your despotism.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Triumphantly.] You are too late! You had him in your nets all these years--until he was fifteen. But now I have won him again, you see!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Then I will win him back from you! [Hoa.r.s.ely, half whispering.]
We two have fought a life-and-death battle before, Gunhild--for a man's soul!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Looking at her in triumph.] Yes, and I won the victory.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With a smile of scorn.] Do you still think that victory was worth the winning?
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Darkly.] No; Heaven knows you are right there.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
You need look for no victory worth the winning this time either.
MRS. BORKMAN.
Not when I am fighting to preserve a mother's power over my son!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
No; for it is only power over him that you want.
MRS. BORKMAN.
And you?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Warmly.] I want his affection--his soul--his whole heart!
MRS. BORKMAN.
[With an outburst.] That you shall never have in this world!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Looking at her.] You have seen to that?
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could you not see that in his letters?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you--the whole of you--in his letters of late.
MRS. BORKMAN.
[Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight years. I have had him under my own eye, you see.
