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) No, no, I won't look
at it. The whole thing shall be nothing but a bad dream to
me. (Tears up the bond and both letters, throws them all
into the stove, and watches them burn.) There--now it doesn't
exist any longer. He says that since Christmas Eve you--.
These must have been three dreadful days for you, Nora.

Nora. I have fought a hard fight these three days.

Helmer. And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but--. No, we
won't call any of the horrors to mind. We will only shout with
joy, and keep saying, "It's all over! It's all over!" Listen to
me, Nora. You don't seem to realise that it is all over. What is
this?--such a cold, set face! My poor little Nora, I quite
understand; you don't feel as if you could believe that I have
forgiven you. But it is true, Nora, I swear it; I have forgiven
you everything. I know that what you did, you did out of love for me.

Nora. That is true.

Helmer. You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only
you had not sufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But
do you suppose you are any the less dear to me, because you don't
understand how to act on your own responsibility? No, no; only lean
on me; I will advise you and direct you. I should not be a man if
this womanly helplessness did not just give you a double
attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the
hard things I said in my first moment of consternation, when
I thought everything was going to overwhelm me. I have forgiven
you, Nora; I swear to you I have forgiven you.

Nora. Thank you for your forgiveness. (She goes out through the
door to the right.)

Helmer. No, don't go--. (Looks in.) What are you doing in there?

Nora (from within). Taking off my fancy dress.

Helmer (standing at the open door). Yes, do. Try and calm yourself,
and make your mind easy again, my frightened little singing-bird. Be
at rest, and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under.
(Walks up and down by the door.) How warm and cosy our home is,
Nora. Here is shelter for you; here I will protect you like a
hunted dove that I have saved from a hawk's claws; I will bring
peace to your poor beating heart. It will come, little by little,
Nora, believe me. Tomorrow morning you will look upon it all quite
differently; soon everything will be just as it was before.

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