BORKMAN. [Gloomily.] It is a long, long time. And terrible things have passed since then.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
A whole lifetime has passed—a wasted lifetime.
BORKMAN.
[Looking keenly at her.] Wasted!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Yes, I say wasted—for both of us.
BORKMAN. [In a cold business tone.] I cannot regard my life as wasted yet.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
And what about mine?
BORKMAN.
There you have yourself to blame, Ella.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With a start.] And you can say that?
BORKMAN.
You could quite well have been happy without me.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
Do you believe that?