like a wounded eagle, and look on while others pass me in the race, and take everything away from me, piece by piece! FOLDAL. That is my fate too. BORKMAN. [Not noticing him.] Only to think of it; so near to the goal as I was! If I had only had another week to look about me! All the deposits would have been covered. All the securities I had dealt with so daringly should have been in their places again as before. Vast companies were within a hair's-breadth of being floated. Not a soul should have lost a half-penny. FOLDAL. Yes, yes; you were on the very verge of success. BORKMAN. [With suppressed fury.] And then treachery overtook me! Just at the critical moment! [Looking at him.] Do you know what I hold to be the most infamous crime a man can be guilty of? FOLDAL. No, tell me. BORKMAN. It is not murder. It is not robbery or house-breaking. It is not even perjury. For all these things people do to those they hate, or who are indifferent to them, and do not matter. FOLDAL. What is the worst of all then, John Gabriel? BORKMAN. [With emphasis.] The most infamous of crimes is a friend's betrayal of his friend's confidence. FOLDAL. [Somewhat doubtfully.] Yes, but you know---- BORKMAN. [Firing up.] What are you going to say? I see it in your face. But it is of no use. The people who had their securities in the bank should have got them all back again--every farthing. No; I tell you the most infamous crime a man can commit is to misuse a friend's letters; to publish to all the world what has been confided to him alone, in the closest secrecy, like a whisper in an empty, dark, double-locked room. The man who can do such things is infected and poisoned in every fibre with the morals of the higher rascality. And such a friend was mine--and it was he who crushed me.