rce, against her own will?

The Stranger. No. What would be the good of that? If Ellida wishes to be
with me she must come freely.

Ellida (starts, crying out). Freely!

Wangel. And you actually believe that--

Ellida (to herself). Freely!

Wangel. You must have taken leave of your senses! Go your ways. We have
nothing more to do with you.

The Stranger (looking at his watch). It is almost time for me to go on
board again. (Coming nearer.) Yes, yes, Ellida, now I have done my duty.
(Coming still nearer.) I have kept the word I gave you.

Ellida (beseechingly drawing away). Oh! don't touch me!

The Stranger. And so now you must think it over till tomorrow night--

Wangel. There is nothing to think over here. See that you get away.

The Stranger (still to ELLIDA). Now I'm going with the steamer up the
fjord. Tomorrow night I will come again, and then I shall look for you
here. You must wait for me here in the garden, for I prefer settling the
matter with you alone; you understand?

Ellida (in low, trembling tone). Do you hear that, Wangel?

Wangel. Only keep calm. We shall know how to prevent this visit.

The Stranger. Goodbye for the present, Ellida. So tomorrow night--

Ellida (imploringly). Oh! no, no! Do not come tomorrow night! Never come
here again!

The Stranger. And should you then have a mind to follow me over the
seas--

Ellida. Oh, don't look at me like that!

The Stranger. I only mean that you must then be ready to set out.

Wangel. Go up to the house, Ellida.

Ellida. I cannot! Oh, help me! Save me, Wangel!

The Stranger. For you must remember that if you do not go with me
tomorrow, all is at an end.

Ellida (looks tremblingly at him). Then all is at an end? Forever?

The Stranger (nodding). Nothing can change it then, Ellida. I shall
never again come to this land. You will never see me again, nor hear
from me either. Then I shall be as one dead and gone from you forever.

Ellida (breathing with difficulty). Oh!

The Stranger. So think carefully what you do. Goodbye! (He goes to the
fence and climbs over it, stands still, and says.) Yes, Ellida; be ready
for the journey tomorrow night. For then I shall come and fetch you. (He
goes slowly and calmly down the footpath to the right.)

Ellida (looking after him for a time). Freely, he said; think--he said
that I must go with him freely!

Wangel. Only keep calm. Why, he's gone now, and you'll never see him
again.

Ellida. Oh! how