Nora.

Let me go—you shall not save me! You shall not take my guilt upon yourself!

Helmer.

I don’t want any melodramatic airs. [Locks the outer door.] Here you shall stay and give an account of yourself. Do you understand what you have done? Answer! Do you understand it?

Nora.

[Looks at him fixedly, and says with a stiffening expression.] Yes; now I begin fully to understand it.

Helmer.

[Walking up and down.] Oh! what an awful awakening! During all these eight years—she who was my pride and my joy—a hypocrite, a liar—worse, worse—a criminal. Oh, the unfathomable hideousness of it all! Ugh! Ugh!

[Nora says nothing, and continues to look fixedly at him.

Helmer.