was to spare me and--and him up there in gallery----

ELLA RENTHEIM.
And so it was.

MRS. BORKMAN.
Erhart does not believe that for a moment, now.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
What have you put in his head?

MRS. BORKMAN.
He thinks, what is the truth, that you are ashamed of us--that
you despise us. And do you pretend that you don't? Were you not
once planning to take him quite away from me? Think, Ella; you
cannot have forgotten.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[With a gesture of negation.] That was at the height of the
scandal--when the case was before the courts. I have no such
designs now.

MRS. BORKMAN.
And it would not matter if you had. For in that case what would
become of his mission? No, thank you. It is me that Erhart needs--
not you. And therefore he is as good as dead to you--and you to
him.

ELLA RENTHEIM.
[Coldly, with resolution.] We shall see. For now I shall remain