arents he
only says, that she was found a babe at his threshold {151} twenty-five
years ago, and that nothing was ever heard of her father and mother.

The second act opens with a pretty national festival, in which the
youths and maidens, adorned with wild carnations wend their way in
couples to Ljora (love's-bridge in the people's mouth), from whence
they drop their flowers into the foaming water. If they chance to be
carried out to sea together, the lovers will be united, if not, woe to
them, for love and friendship will die an untimely death.--Godila tries
to offer his carnations to Helga, but she dextrously avoids him, and
succeeds in having a short interview with Erhard, with whom she is to
take flight on a ship, whose arrival is just announced. Erhard goes
off to prepare everything, and a few minutes afterwards Helga comes out
of the house in a travelling dress. But Godila, who has promised
Wandrup to watch over his daughter, detains her.

Wild with love and jealousy he strains her to his breast and drags her
towards the Ljora-bridge. Helga vainly struggles against the madman,
but Ingrid, who has witnessed the whole occurence, waves her white
kerchief in the direction of the ship, and calls back Erhard, who is
just in time to spring on the bridge, when its railing gives way, and
Godila, who has let Helga fall at the approach of his enemy, is
precipitated into the waves. Erhard tries to save him, but is
prevented by Ingrid, who intimates that all efforts would be useless.
Helga in a swoon is carried to the House, when Wandrup, {152} seeing
his child wounded and apparently lifeless, calls Godila, and hears with
horror that his body has been found dashed to pieces on the rocks. Now
the father's wrath turns against Erhard, in whom he sees Godila's
murderer, but Ingrid, stepping forth, relates how the catastrophe
happened, and how Godila seemed to be punished by heaven for his attack
on Helga. Everybody is touched by poor despised Ingrid's
unselfishness, she even pleads for Helga's union with Erhard, nobly
renouncing her own claims on his love and gratitude. Wandrup relents
and the happy lovers go on the Ljora-bridge, whence their carnations
float out to sea side by side. The ship's departure is signalled, and
all accompany the lovers on board. Only Ingrid remains. Her strength
of mind has forsaken her; a prey to wild despair she resolves to
destroy herself. Taking a last look at Erhard's gift, the little