Mrs. Borkman.

When he came home to me, he imagined that you did it all out of goodness of heart. [Looks malignly at her.] Now he does not believe that any longer, Ella.

Ella Rentheim.

Then what does he believe now?

Mrs. Borkman.

He believes what is the truth. I asked him how he accounted for the fact that Aunt Ella never came here to visit us——

Ella Rentheim.

[Interrupting.] He knew my reasons already!

Mrs. Borkman.

He knows them better now. You had got him to believe that it was to spare me and—and him up there in the gallery——