MRS. BORKMAN. How was I to know that it was not his own money he gave me to squander? And that he himself used to squander, too—ten times more than I did!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Quietly.] Well, I daresay his position forced him to do that— to some extent at any rate.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Scornfully.] Yes, it was always the same story—we were to "cut a figure." And he did "cut a figure" to some purpose! He used to drive about with a four-in-hand as if he were a king. And he had people bowing and scraping to him just as to a king. [With a laugh.] And they always called him by his Christian names—all the country over—as if he had been the king himself. "John Gabriel," "John Gabriel," "John Gabriel." Every one knew what a great man "John Gabriel" was!
ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Warmly and emphatically.] He was a great man then.
MRS. BORKMAN. Yes, to all appearance. But he never breathed a single word to me as to his real position—never gave a hint as to where he got his means from.
ELLA RENTHEIM.
No, no; and other people did not dream of it either.
MRS. BORKMAN. I don't care about the other people. But it was his duty to tell me the truth. And that he never did! He kept on lying to me—lying abominably——
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Interrupting.] Surely not, Gunhild. He kept things back perhaps, but I am sure he did not lie.
MRS. BORKMAN.
Well, well; call it what you please; it makes no difference.
And then it all fell to pieces—the whole thing.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [To herself.] Yes, everything fell to pieces—for him—and for others.