hold you tight enough. Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life’s blood and everything for your sake.

NORA [disengages herself and says firmly and decidedly]. Now you must read your letters, Torvald.

HEL. No, no; not tonight. I want to be with you, my darling wife.

NORA. With the thought of your friend’s death——

HEL. You are right; it has affected us both. Something ugly has come between us—the thought of the horrors of death. We must try and rid our minds of that. Until then—we will each go to our own room.

NORA [hanging on his neck]. Good night, Torvald—good night!

HEL. [kissing her on the forehead]. Good night, my little singing bird. Sleep sound, Nora. Now I will read my letters through. [He takes his letters and goes into his room, shutting the door after him.]

NORA [gropes distractedly about, seizes Helmer’s domino, throws it about her while she says in quick, hoarse, spasmodic whispers]. Never to see him again. Never! Never! [Puts her shawl over her head.] Never to see my children again either—never again. Never! Never! Ah! the icy black water—the unfathomable depths—if only it were over! He has got it now—now he is reading it. Good-by, Torvald and my children! [She is about to rush out through the hall when Helmer opens his door hurriedly and stands with an open letter in his hand.]

HEL. Nora!

NORA. Ah!

HEL. What is this? Do you know what is in this letter?

NORA. Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out!

HEL. [holding her back]. Where are you going?

NORA [trying to get free]. You shan’t save me, Torvald!

HEL. [reeling]. True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no— it is impossible that it is true.

NORA. It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world.

HEL. Oh, don’t let us have any silly excuses.

NORA [taking a step toward him]. Torvald!

HEL. Miserable creature—what have you done?

NORA. Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself.

HEL. No tragedy airs, please. [Locks the hall door]. Here you shall stay and give me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? Answer me! Do you understand what you have done?

NORA [looks steadily at him and says with a growing look of coldness in her face]. Yes, now I am beginning to understand thoroughly.

HEL. [walking about the room]. What a horrible awakening! All these eight years—she who was my joy and pride—a hypocrite, a liar— worse, worse—a criminal! The unutterable ugliness of it all! For shame! For shame! [Nora is silent and looks steadily at him. He stops in front of her.] I ought to have