Mrs. Alving.
Soon after, I heard Alving come in too. I heard him say something softly to her. And then I heard—[With a short laugh]—oh! it still sounds in my ears, so hateful and yet so ludicrous—I heard my own servant-maid whisper, “Let me go, Mr. Alving! Let me be!”
Manders.
What unseemly levity on his part! But it cannot have been more than levity, Mrs. Alving; believe me, it cannot.
Mrs. Alving.
I soon knew what to believe. Mr. Alving had his way with the girl; and that connection had consequences, Mr. Manders.
Manders.
[As though petrified.] Such things in this house! in this house!
Mrs. Alving.
I had borne a great deal in this house. To keep him at home in the evenings, and at night, I had to make myself his boon companion in his secret orgies up in his room. There I have had to sit alone with him, to clink glasses and drink with him, and to listen to his ribald, silly talk. I have had to fight with him to get him dragged to bed——