Read the excerpt from act 2 of a doll's house.

rank: [leaning towards her] nora—do you think he is the only one—?

nora: [with a slight start] the only one—?

rank: the only one who would gladly give his life for your sake.

nora: [sadly] is that it?

rank: i was determined you should know it before i went away, and there will never be a better opportunity than this. now you know it, nora. and now you know, too, that you can trust me as you would trust no one else.

nora: [rises, deliberately and quietly] let me pass.

rank: [makes room for her to pass him, but sits still] nora!

nora: [at the hall door] helen, bring in the lamp. [goes over to the stove.] dear doctor rank, that was really horrid of you.

rank: to have loved you as much as anyone else does? was that horrid?

nora: no, but to go and tell me so. there was really no need—

rank: what do you mean? did you know—? [maid enters with lamp, puts it down on the table, and goes out.] nora—mrs. helmer—tell me, had you any idea of this?

nora: oh, how do i know whether i had or whether i hadn't? i really can't tell you—to think you could be so clumsy, doctor rank! we were getting on so nicely.

rank: well, at all events you know now that you can command me, body and soul. so won't you speak out?

nora: [looking at him] after what happened?

rank: i beg you to let me know what it is.

nora: i can't tell you anything now.

rank: yes, yes. you mustn't punish me in that way. let me have permission to do for you whatever a man may do.

nora: you can do nothing for me now. besides, i really don't need any at all. you will find that the whole thing is merely fancy on my part. it really is so—of course it is! [sits down in the rocking-chair, and looks at him with a smile.] you are a nice sort of man, doctor rank! don't you feel ashamed of yourself, now the lamp has come?

which statement best describes the way this interaction affects the plot?

a. nora and doctor rank have to find a way to hide their love for each other from helmer.

b. doctor rank's admission of love prolongs the suspense because now nora cannot ask him for .

c. nora and doctor rank have to keep the extent of his illness a secret from helmer later.

d. now that doctor rank has expressed his love for nora, he can no longer come to the house.

[b is the correct answer]