Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 7).djvu/183

 threatened me, I said to myself so confidently, "Now comes the miracle!" When Krogstad's letter lay in the box, it never for a moment occurred to me that you would think of submitting to that man's conditions. I was convinced that you would say to him, "Make it known to all the world"; and that then

Helmer.

Well? When I had given my own wife's name up to disgrace and shame?

Nora.

Then I firmly believed that you would come forward, take everything upon yourself, and say, "I am the guilty one."

Helmer.

Nora!

Nora.

You mean I would never have accepted such a sacrifice? No, certainly not. But what would my assertions have been worth in opposition to yours?—That was the miracle that I hoped for and dreaded. And it was to hinder that that I wanted to die.

Helmer.

I would gladly work for you day and night, Nora—bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man sacrifices his honour, even for one he loves.

Nora.

Millions of women have done so.