Borkman.
[Harshly and scornfully.] Perhaps you think it was that I might have something to fall back upon, if things went wrong?
Ella Rentheim.
Oh no, I am sure you did not think of that in those days.
Borkman.
Never! I was so absolutely certain of victory.
Ella Rentheim.
Well then, why was it that——?
Borkman.
[Shrugging his shoulders.] Upon my soul, Ella, it is not so easy to remember one’s motives of twenty years ago. I only know that when I used to grapple, silently and alone, with all the great projects I had in my mind, I had something like the feeling of a man who is starting on a balloon-voyage. All through my sleepless nights I was inflating my giant balloon, and preparing to soar away into perilous, unknown regions.