est at Ostrat, as long
as it likes you.

NILS STENSSON (pleased). Ay? Can I truly? Then I am not to
begone again so soon?

NILS LYKKE. Nay, that I know not. Sure you yourself can best
say that.

NILS STENSSON (softly). Oh, the devil! (Stretches himself in
the chair.) Well, you see--'tis not yet certain. I, for my part,
were nothing loath to stay quiet here awhile; but----

NILS LYKKE. ----But you are not in all points your own master?
There be other duties and other circumstances----?

NILS STENSSON. Ay, that is just the rub. Were I to choose, I
would rest me at Ostrat at least the winter through; I have seldom
led aught but a soldier's life----
(Interrupts himself suddenly, fills a goblet, and drinks.)
Your health, Sir!

NILS LYKKE. A soldier's life? Hm!

NILS STENSSON. Nay, what I would have said is this: I have
been eager to see Lady Inger Gyldenlove, whose fame has spread
so wide. She must be a queenly woman,--is't not so?--The one
thing I like not in her, is that she shrinks so cursedly from
open action.

NILS LYKKE. From open action?

NILS STENSSON. Ay ay, you understand me; I mean she is so loath
to take a hand in driving the foreign rulers out of the land.

NILS LYKKE. Ay, you are right. But if you do your best now,
you will doubtless work her to your will.

NILS STENSSON. I? God knows it would but little serve if _I_----

NILS LYKKE. Yet 'tis strange you should seek her here if you
have so little hope.

NILS STENSSON. What mean you?--Tell me, know you Lady Inger?

NILS LYKKE. Surely; I am her guest, and----

NILS STENSSON. Ay, but it does not at all follow that you know
her. I too am her guest, yet have I never seen so much as her
shadow.

NILS LYKKE. Yet did you speak of her----

NILS STENSSON. ----As all folk speak. Why should I not? And
besides, I have often enough heard from Peter Kanzler----

(Stops in confusion, and begins eating again.)

NILS LYKKE. You would have said----?

NILS STENSSON (eating). I? Nay, 'tis all one.

(NILS LYKKE laughs.)

NILS STENSSON. Why laugh you, Sir?

NILS LYKKE. 'Tis nought, Sir!

NILS STENSSON (drinks). A pretty vintage ye have in this house.

NILS LYKKE (approaches him confidentially). Listen--were it
not time now to throw off the mask?

NILS STENSSON (smiling). The mask? Why, do as seems best to you.

NILS LYKKE. Then off with all disg