Krogstad.  Very well, if you will take the responsibility.  But there is one thing I can do in any case, and I shall do it at once.

Mrs. Linde (listening).  You must be quick and go!  The dance is over; we are not safe a moment longer.

Krogstad.  I will wait for you below.

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, do.  You must see me back to my door...

Krogstad.  I have never had such an amazing piece of good fortune in my life! (Goes out through the outer door.  The door between the room and the hall remains open.)

Mrs. Linde (tidying up the room and laying her hat and cloak ready).  What a difference! what a difference!  Someone to work for and live for—­a home to bring comfort into.  That I will do, indeed.  I wish they would be quick and come—­(Listens.) Ah, there they are now.  I must put on my things. (Takes up her hat and cloak.  Helmer’s and Nora’s voices are heard outside; a key is turned, and Helmer brings Nora almost by force into the hall.  She is in an Italian costume with a large black shawl around her; he is in evening dress, and a black domino which is flying open.)

Nora (hanging back in the doorway, and struggling with him).  No, no, no!—­don’t take me in.  I want to go upstairs again; I don’t want to leave so early.

Helmer.  But, my dearest Nora—­

Nora.  Please, Torvald dear—­please, please—­only an hour more.

Helmer.  Not a single minute, my sweet Nora.  You know that was our agreement.  Come along into the room; you are catching cold standing there. (He brings her gently into the room, in spite of her resistance.)

Mrs. Linde.  Good evening.

Nora.  Christine!

Helmer.  You here, so late, Mrs. Linde?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, you must excuse me; I was so anxious to see Nora in her dress.

Nora.  Have you been sitting here waiting for me?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, unfortunately I came too late, you had already gone upstairs; and I thought I couldn’t go away again without having seen you.

Helmer (taking off Nora’s shawl).  Yes, take a good look at her.  I think she is worth looking at.  Isn’t she charming, Mrs. Linde?

Mrs. Linde.  Yes, indeed she is.

Helmer.  Doesn’t she look remarkably pretty?  Everyone thought so at the dance.  But she is terribly self-willed, this sweet little person.  What are we to do with her?  You will hardly believe that I had almost to bring her away by force.

Nora.  Torvald, you will repent not having let me stay, even if it were only for half an hour.