their reputation. But at last, Mr. Manders—for you must know the whole story—the most repulsive thing of all happened.
Manders.
More repulsive than what you have told me!
Mrs. Alving.
I had gone on bearing with him, although I knew very well the secrets of his life out of doors. But when he brought the scandal within our own walls
Manders.
Impossible! Here!
Mrs. Alving.
Yes; here in our own home. It was there [Pointing towards the first door on the right], in the dining-room, that I first came to know of it. I was busy with something in there, and the door was standing ajar. I heard our housemaid come up from the garden, with water for those flowers.
Manders.
Well?
Mrs. Alving.
Soon after, I heard Alving come in too. I heard him say something softly to her. And then I heard—[With a short laugh]—oh! it still sounds in my ears, so hateful and yet so ludicrous—I heard my own servant-maid whisper, "Let me go, Mr. Alving! Let me be!"
Manders.
What unseemly levity on his part! But it
