MRS. ALVING: Not now, at any rate.

MANDERS: Never--never in my most secret thoughts have I regarded you otherwise than as another's wife.

MRS. ALVING: Oh--indeed?

MANDERS: Helen--!

MRS. ALVING: People so easily forget their past selves.

MANDERS: I do not. I am what I always was.

MRS. ALVING: [Changing the subject.] Well well well; don't let us talk of old times any longer. You are now over head and ears in Boards and Committees, and I am fighting my battle with ghosts, both within me and without.

MANDERS: Those without I shall help you to lay. After all the terrible things I have heard from you today, I cannot in conscience permit an unprotected girl to remain in your house.

MRS. ALVING: Don't you think the best plan would be to get her provided for?--I mean, by a good marriage.

MANDERS: No doubt. I think it would be desirable for her in every respect. Regina is now at the age when--Of course I don't know much about these things, but--

MRS. ALVING: Regina matured very early.

MANDERS: Yes, I thought so. I have an impression that she was remarkably well developed, physically, when I prepared her for confirmation. But in the meantime, she ought to be at home, under her father's eye--Ah! but Engstrand is not--That he--that he--could so hide the truth from me! [A knock at the door into the hall.]

MRS. ALVING: Who can this be? Come in!

ENGSTRAND: [In his Sunday clothes, in the doorway.] I humbly beg your pardon, but--

MANDERS: Aha! H'm--

MRS. ALVING: Is that you, Engstrand?

ENGSTRAND: --there was none of the servants about, so I took the great liberty of just knocking.

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