BERTHA. That's not true. For that matter, it's not my picture, anyway. It's your master's. Put it down there. [The maid and the man go out.] Perhaps it isn't yours, Axel? let's see. [Axel places himself in front of picture.] Move a little so we can see.
AXEL [Gives way]. It's a mistake.
BERTHA [Shrieks]. What! What is this! It's a mistake! What does it mean? It's my picture, but it's Axel's number! Oh!
[She falls in a faint. The doctor and Carl carry her into her room left, the women follow.]
ABEL. She is dying!
MRS. STARCK. Heaven help us, what is this! The poor little dear! Doctor Östermark, do something, say something—and Axel stands there crestfallen.
[Axel and Willmer are alone.]
AXEL. This is your doing.
WILLMER. My doing?
[Axel takes him by the ear.]