Ella Rentheim.
[Rises from the sofa, quivering with passion.] Criminal!
Borkman.
[Starts, but controls himself.] I have heard that word before.
Ella Rentheim.
Oh, don’t imagine I’m thinking of anything you may have done against the law of the land! The use you made of all those vouchers and securities, or whatever you call them—do you think I care a straw about that! If I could have stood at your side when the crash came——
Borkman.
[Eagerly.] What then, Ella?
Ella Rentheim.
Trust me, I should have borne it all so gladly along with you. The shame, the ruin—I would have helped you to bear it all—all!