John Gabriel Borkman | Page 4

strange lady and goes out. MISS
ELLA RENTHEIM enters. She resembles her sister; but her face has
rather a suffering than a hard expression. It still shows signs of great
beauty, combined with strong character. She has a great deal of hair,
which is drawn back from the forehead in natural ripples, and is
snow-white. She is dressed in black velvet, with a hat and a fur-lined
cloak of the same material.
[The two sisters stand silent for a time, and look searchingly at each
other. Each is evidently waiting for the other to speak first.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Who has remained near the door.] You are

surprised to see me, Gunhild.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Standing erect and immovable between the sofa
and the table, resting her finger-tips upon the cloth.] Have you not
made a mistake? The bailiff lives in the side wing, you know.
ELLA RENTHEIM. It is not the bailiff I want to see to-day.
MRS. BORKMAN. Is it me you want, then?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Yes. I have a few words to say to you.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Coming forward into the middle of the room.]
Well--then sit down.
ELLA RENTHEIM. Thank you. I can quite well stand for the present.
MRS. BORKMAN. Just as you please. But at least loosen your cloak.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Unbuttoning her cloak.] Yes, it is very warm
here.
MRS. BORKMAN. I am always cold.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Stands looking at her for a time with her arms
resting on the back of the armchair.] Well, Gunhild, it is nearly eight
years now since we saw each other last.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Coldly.] Since last we spoke to each other at any
rate.
ELLA RENTHEIM. True, since we spoke to each other. I daresay you
have seen me now and again--when I came on my yearly visit to the
bailiff.
MRS. BORKMAN. Once or twice, I have.
ELLA RENTHEIM. I have caught one or two glimpses of you,
too--there, at the window.

MRS. BORKMAN. You must have seen me through the curtains then.
You have good eyes. [Harshly and cuttingly.] But the last time we
spoke to each other--it was here in this room----
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Trying to stop her.] Yes, yes; I know, Gunhild!
MRS. BORKMAN. --the week before he--before he was let out.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Moving towards the back.] O, don't speak about
that.
MRS. BORKMAN. [Firmly, but in a low voice.] It was the week
before he--was set at liberty.
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Coming down.] Oh yes, yes, yes! I shall never
forget that time! But it is too terrible to think of! Only to recall it for the
moment--oh!
MRS. BORKMAN. [Gloomily.] And yet one's thoughts can never get
away from it. [Vehemently; clenching her hands together.] No, I can't
understand how such a thing--how anything so horrible can come upon
one single family! And then--that it should be our family! So old a
family as ours! Think of its choosing us out!
ELLA RENTHEIM. Oh, Gunhild--there were many, many families
besides ours that that blow fell upon.
MRS. BORKMAN. Oh yes; but those others don't trouble me very
much. For in their case it was only a matter of a little money--or some
papers. But for us----! For me! And then for Erhart! My little boy--as
he then was! [In rising excitement.] The shame that fell upon us two
innocent ones! The dishonour! The hateful, terrible dishonour! And
then the utter ruin too!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Cautiously.] Tell me, Gunhild, how does he bear
it?
MRS. BORKMAN. Erhart, do you mean?

ELLA RENTHEIM. No--he himself. How does he bear it?
MRS. BORKMAN. [Scornfully.] Do you think I ever ask about that?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Ask? Surely you do not require to ask----
MRS. BORKMAN. [Looks at her in surprise.] You don't suppose I ever
have anything to do with him? That I ever meet him? That I see
anything of him?
ELLA RENTHEIM. Not even that!
MRS. BORKMAN. [As before.] The man was in gaol, in gaol for five
years! [Covers her face with her hands.] Oh, the crushing shame of it!
[With increased vehemence.] And then to think of all that the name of
John Gabriel Borkman used to mean! No, no, no--I can never see him
again! Never!
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Looks at her for a while.] You have a hard heart,
Gunhild.
MRS. BORKMAN. Towards him, yes.
ELLA RENTHEIM. After all, he is your husband.
MRS. BORKMAN. Did he not say in court that it was I who began his
ruin? That I spent money so recklessly?
ELLA RENTHEIM. [Tentatively.] But is there not some truth in that?
MRS. BORKMAN. Why, it was he himself that made me do it! He
insisted on our living in such an absurdly lavish style----
ELLA RENTHEIM. Yes, I know. But that is just where you should
have restrained him;