BORKMAN.
Good night, Vilhelm.
[Foldal goes out to the left.
[BORKMAN stands for a moment gazing at the closed door; makes a movement as though to call FOLDAL back, but changes his mind, and begins to pace the floor with his hands behind his back. Then he stops at the table beside the sofa and puts out the lamp. The room becomes half dark. After a short pause, there comes a knock at the tapestry door.
BORKMAN.
[At the table, starts, turns, and asks in a loud voice:] Who is
that knocking?
[No answer, another knock.
BORKMAN.
[Without moving.] Who is it? Come in!
[ELLA RENTHEIM, with a lighted candle in her hand, appears in
the doorway. She wears her black dress, as before, with
her cloak thrown loosely round her shoulders.
BORKMAN.
[Staring at her.] Who are you? What do you want with me?
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Closes the door and advances.] It is I, Borkman.
[She puts down the candle on the piano and remains standing
beside it.
BORKMAN. [Stands as though thunderstruck, stares fixedly at her, and says in a half-whisper.] Is it—is it Ella? Is it Ella Rentheim?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Yes, it's "your" Ella, as you used to call me in the old days; many, many years ago.