was he who crushed me. FOLDAL. I can guess whom you mean. BORKMAN. There was not a nook or cranny of my life that I hesitated to lay open to him. And then, when the moment came, he turned against me the weapons I myself had placed in his hands. FOLDAL. I have never been able to understand why he---- Of course, there were whispers of all sorts at the time. BORKMAN. What were the whispers? Tell me. You see I know nothing. For I had to go straight into--into isolation. What did people whisper, Vilhelm? FOLDAL. You were to have gone into the Cabinet, they said. BORKMAN. I was offered a portfolio, but I refused it. FOLDAL. Then it wasn't there you stood in his way? BORKMAN. Oh, no; that was not the reason he betrayed me. FOLDAL. Then I really can't understand---- BORKMAN. I may as well tell you, Vilhelm---- FOLDAL. Well? BORKMAN. There was--in fact, there was a woman in the case. FOLDAL. A woman in the case? Well but, John Gabriel---- BORKMAN. [Interrupting.] Well, well--let us say no more of these stupid old stories. After all, neither of us got into the Cabinet, neither he nor I.