Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Volume 11).djvu/211

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Ella Rentheim.

Do you know her at all intimately, Gunhild?

Mrs. Borkman.

Oh yes, pretty well. She lives close by here; and she looks in every now and then.

Ella Rentheim.

And do you like her?

Mrs. Borkman.

She is unusually intelligent; remarkably clear in her judgments.

Ella Rentheim.

In her judgments of people, do you mean?

Mrs. Borkman.

Yes, principally of people. She has made quite a study of Erhart; looked deep into his character—into his soul. And the result is she idolises him, as she could not help doing.

Ella Rentheim.

[With a touch of finesse.] Then perhaps she knows Erhart still better than she knows you?

Mrs. Borkman.

Yes, Erhart saw a good deal of her in town, before she came out here.

Ella Rentheim.

[Without thinking.] And in spite of that she moved out of town?