Ella Rentheim.

[Tears off her cloak and throws it over him.] Lie still where you are! I will go and bring help for you.

[She goes a step or two towards the right; then she stops, returns, and carefully feels his pulse and touches his face.

Ella Rentheim.

[Softly and firmly.] No. It is best so, John Borkman. Best so for you.

[She spreads the cloak closer around him, and sinks down in the snow in front of the bench. A short silence.

[Mrs. Borkman, wrapped in a mantle, comes through the wood on the right. The Maid goes before her carrying a lantern.

The Maid.

[Throwing the light upon the snow.] Yes, yes, ma’am, here are their tracks.

Mrs. Borkman.