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Mrs. Borkman.
Not when I am fighting to preserve a mother's power over my son!
Ella Rentheim.
No; for it is only power over him that you want.
Mrs. Borkman.
And you?
Ella Rentheim.
[Warmly.] I want his affection—his soul—his whole heart!
Mrs. Borkman.
[With an outburst.] That you shall never have in this world!
Ella Rentheim.
[Looking at her.] You have seen to that?
Mrs. Borkman.
[Smiling.] Yes, I have taken that liberty. Could you not see that in his letters?
Ella Rentheim.
[Nods slowly.] Yes. I could see you—the whole of you—in his letters of late.
Mrs. Borkman.
[Gallingly.] I have made the best use of these eight years, I have had him under my own eye, you see.
