BORGHEIM. [Looks at her with self-control.] Then I must make my roads alone?
ASTA. [Warmly.] Oh, how I wish I could stand by you in it all! Help you in the labour—share the gladness with you—
BORGHEIM. Would you—if you could?
ASTA. Yes, that I would.
BORGHEIM. But you cannot?
ASTA. [Looking down.] Would you be content to have only half of me?
BORGHEIM. No. You must be utterly and entirely mine.
ASTA. [Looks at him, and says quietly.] Then I cannot.
BORGHEIM. Good-bye then, Miss Asta.
[He is on the point of going. ALLMERS comes up from the left at the back. BORGHEIM stops.]