Borkman.
I knew his consuming passion for you. I knew that on no other condition would he
Ella Rentheim.
And so you struck the bargain.
Borkman.
[Vehemently.] Yes, I did, Ella! For the love of power is uncontrollable in me, you see! So I struck the bargain; I had to. And he helped me half-way up towards the beckoning heights that I was bent on reaching. And I mounted and mounted; year by year I mounted
Ella Rentheim.
And I was as though wiped out of your life.
Borkman.
And after all he hurled me into the abyss again. On account of you, Ella.
Ella Rentheim.
[After a short thoughtful silence.] Borkman, does it not seem to you as if there had been a sort of curse on our whole relation?
Borkman.
[Looking at her.] A curse?
Ella Rentheim.
Yes. Don't you think so?
