; and heaven be praised--things have not yet come
to that!

OLAF SKAKTAVL. I am no wiser than before, Lady Inger;--why would
you keep Nils Lykke at Ostrat?

LADY INGER (softly). Because I owe him an undying hate. Nils
Lykke has done me deadlier wrong than any other man. I cannot
tell you wherein it lies; but I shall never rest till I am avenged
on him. See you not now? Say that Nils Lykke were to love my
daughter--as meseems were like enough. I will persuade him to
remain here; he shall learn to know Elina well. She is both fair
and wise.--Ah if he should one day come before me, with hot love
in his heart, to beg for her hand! Then--to chase him away like
a hound; to drive him off with jibes and scorn; to make it known
over all the land that Nils Lykke had come a-wooing to Ostrat in
vain! I tell you I would give ten years of my life but to see
that day!

OLAF SKAKTAVL. In faith and truth, Inger Gyldenlove--is this
your purpose towards him?

LADY INGER. This and nought else, as sure as God lives! Trust
me, Olaf Skaktavl, I mean honestly by my countrymen; but I am in
no way my own master. Things there be that must be kept hidden,
or 'twere my death-blow. But let me once be safe on _that_ side,
and you shall see if I have forgotten the oath I swore by Knut
Alfson's corpse.

OLAF SKAKTAVL (shakes her by the hand). Thanks for those words!
I am loath indeed to think evil of you.--Yet, touching your design
towards this knight, methinks 'tis a dangerous game you would play.
What if you had misreckoned? What if your daughter----? 'Tis said
no woman can stand against this subtle devil.

LADY INGER. My daughter? Think you that she----? Nay, have no
fear of that; I know Elina better. All she has heard of his renown
has but made her hate him the more. You saw with your own eyes----

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, but--a woman's mind is shifting ground to
build on. 'Twere best you looked well before you.

LADY INGER. That will I, be sure; I will watch them narrowly.
But even were he to succeed in luring her into his toils, I have
but to whisper two words in her ear, and----

OLAF SKAKTAVL. What then?

LADY INGER. ----She will shrink from him as though he were sent
by the foul Tempter himself. Hist, Olaf Skaktavl! Here he comes.
Now be cautious.

(NILS LYKKE enters by the foremost door on the right.)

NILS LYKKE (approaches LADY INGER courteously). My noble hostess
has summ