John Gabriel Borkman Part 26

Well, you have really no one nearer to you than he.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Warmly.] No, indeed, I have no one nearer me than he.

BORKMAN.

No one of your own family. You are the last.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Nodding slowly.] Yes, that is just it. When I die, the name of Rentheim dies with me. And that is such a torturing thought to me. To be wiped out of existence--even to your very name----

BORKMAN.

[Firing up.] Ah, I see what you are driving at!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Pa.s.sionately.] Do not let this be my forte. Let Erhart bear my name after me!

BORKMAN.

I understand you well enough. You want to save my son from having to bear his father's name. That is your meaning.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

No, no, not that! I myself would have borne it proudly and gladly along with you! But a mother who is at the point of death---- There is more binding force in a name than you think or believe, Borkman.

BORKMAN.

[Coldly and proudly.] Well and good, Ella. I am man enough to bear my own name alone.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Seizing and pressing his hand.] Thank you, thank you! Now there has been a full settlement between us! Yes, yes, let it be so! You have made all the atonement in your power. For when I have gone from the world, I shall leave Erhart Rentheim behind me!

[The tapestry door is thrown open. MRS. BORKMAN, with the large shawl over her head, stands in the doorway.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[In violent agitation.] Never to his dying day shall Erhart be called by that name!

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Shrinking back.] Gunhild!

BORKMAN.

[Harshly and threateningly.] I allow no one to come up to my room!

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Advancing a step.] I do not ask your permission.

BORKMAN.

[Going towards her.] What do you want with me?

MRS. BORKMAN.

I will fight with all my might for you. I will protect you from the powers of evil.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

The worst "powers of evil" are in yourself, Gunhild!

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Harshly.] So be it then. [Menacingly, with upstretched arm.]

But this I tell you--he shall bear his father's name! And bear it aloft in honour again! My son's heart shall be mine--mine and no other's.

[She goes out by the tapestry door and shuts it behind her.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

[Shaken and shattered.] Borkman, Erhart's life will be wrecked in this storm. There must be an understanding between you and Gunhild. We must go down to her at once.

BORKMAN.

[Looking at her.] We? I too, do you mean?

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Both you and I.

BORKMAN.

[Shaking his head.] She is hard, I tell you. Hard as the metal I once dreamed of hewing out of the rocks.

ELLA RENTHEIM.

Then try it now!

[BORKMAN does not answer, but stands looking doubtfully at her.

ACT THIRD

MRS. BORKMAN's drawing room. The lamp is still burning on the table beside the sofa in front. The garden-room at the back is quite dark.

MRS. BORKMAN, with the shawl still over her head, enters, in violent agitation, by the hall door, goes up to the window, draws the curtain a little aside, and looks out; then she seats herself beside the stove, but immediately springs up again, goes to the bell-pull and rings. Stands beside the sofa, and waits a moment. No one comes. Then she rings again, this time more violently.

THE MAID presently enters from the hall. She looks sleepy and out of temper, and appears to have dressed in great haste.

MRS. BORKMAN.

[Impatiently.] What has become of you, Malena? I have rung for you twice!

THE MAID.

Yes, ma'am, I heard you.

MRS. BORKMAN.

And yet you didn't come?

THE MAID.

[Sulkily.] I had to put some clothes on first, I suppose.