RITA. [With cold self-control.] Eyolf would never let me take him really and truly to my heart. ALLMERS. Because you did not want to. RITA. Oh yes, I did. I did want to. But some one stood in the way-- even from the first. ALLMERS. [Turning right round.] Do you mean that _I_ stood in the way? RITA. Oh, no--not at first. ALLMERS. [Coming nearer her.] Who, then? RITA. His aunt. ALLMERS. Asta? RITA. Yes. Asta stood and barred the way for me. ALLMERS. Can you say that, Rita? RITA. Yes. Asta--she took him to her heart--from the moment that happened--that miserable fall. ALLMERS. If she did so, she did it in love. RITA. [Vehemently.] That is just it! I cannot endure to share anything with any one! Not in love. ALLMERS. We two should have shared him between us in love. RITA. [Looking scornfully at him.] We? Oh, the truth is you have never had any real love for him either. ALLMERS. [Looks at her in astonishment.] _I_ have not--! RITA. No, you have not. At first you were so utterly taken up by that book of yours--about Responsibility. ALLMERS. [Forcibly.] Yes, I was. But my very book--I sacrificed for Eyolf's sake. RITA. Not out of love for him. ALLMERS. Why then, do you suppose? RITA. Because you were consumed with mistrust of yourself. Because you had begun to doubt whether you had any great vocation to live for in the world.