Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/271



[Scornfully.] Year after year I rejected happiness, I suppose you think?

You might perfectly well have been happy with him. And then I should have been saved.

You?

Yes, you would have saved me, Ella.

How do you mean?

He thought I was at the bottom of your obstinacy—of your perpetual refusals. And then he took his revenge. It was so easy for him; he had all my frank, confiding letters in his keeping. He made his own use of them; and then it was all over with me—for the time, that is to say. So you see it is all your doing, Ella!

Oh indeed, Borkman. If we look into the matter, it appears that it is I who owe you reparation.

It depends how you look at it. I know quite well all that you have done for us. You bought