Nora.  That’s a thing you will never see!

Krogstad.  Do you mean that you will—?

Nora.  I have courage enough for it now.

Krogstad.  Oh, you can’t frighten me.  A fine, spoilt lady like you—­

Nora.  You will see, you will see.

Krogstad.  Under the ice, perhaps?  Down into the cold, coal-black water?  And then, in the spring, to float up to the surface, all horrible and unrecognizable, with your hair fallen out—­

Nora.  You can’t frighten me.

Krogstad.  Nor you me.  People don’t do such things, Mrs. Helmer.  Besides, what use would it be?  I should have him completely in my power all the same.

Nora.  Afterwards?  When I am no longer—­

Krogstad.  Have you forgot that it is I who have the keeping of your reputation? (Nora stands speechlessly looking at him.) Well, now, I have warned you.  Do not do anything foolish.  When Helmer has had my letter, I shall expect a message from him.  And be sure you remember that it is your husband himself who has forced me into such ways as this again.  I will never forgive him for that.  Good-bye, Mrs. Helmer. (Exit through the hall.)

Nora (goes to the hall door, opens it slightly and listens).  He is going.  He is not putting the letter in the box.  Oh, no, no, that’s impossible! (Opens the door by degrees.) What is that?  He is standing outside.  He is not going downstairs.  Is he hesitating?  Can he—? (A letter drops into the box; then KROGSTAD’S footsteps are heard, till they die away as he goes downstairs. NORA utters a stifled cry, and runs across the room to the table by the sofa.  A short pause.)

Nora.  In the letter-box. (Steals across to the hall-door.) There it lies—­Torvald, Torvald, there is no hope for us now!

(MRS. LINDE comes in from the room on the left, carrying the dress.)

Mrs. Linde.  There, I can’t see anything more to mend now.  Would you like to try it on—?

Nora (in a hoarse whisper).  Christine, come here.

Mrs. Linde (throwing the dress down on the sofa).  What is the matter with you?  You look so agitated!

Nora.  Come here.  Do you see that letter?  There, look—­you can see it through the glass in the letter-box.

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, I see it.

Nora.  That letter is from Krogstad.

Mrs. Linde.  Nora—­it was Krogstad who lent you the money!

Nora.  Yes, and now Torvald will know all about it.

Mrs. Linde.  Believe me, Nora, that’s the best thing for both of you.

Nora.  You don’t know all.  I forged a name.

Mrs. Linde.  Good heavens—!

Nora.  I only want to say this to you, Christine—­you must be my witness.