OLAF SKAKTAVL (turning over the papers). Strange. No letter.
NILS LYKKE. ----Lady Inger Gyldenlove's fame is all too widely
spread that I should not long have been eager to see her face
to face.
LADY INGER. So I thought. But what, then, is an hour's jesting
talk at the supper-table? Let us try to sweep away all that has
separated us till now; it may well happen that the Nils Lykke I
know may wipe out the grudge I bore the one I knew not. Prolong
your stay here but a few days, Sir Councillor! I dare not persuade
Olaf Skaktavl thereto, since his secret charge in Sweden calls him
hence. But as for you, doubtless your sagacity has placed all
things beforehand in such train, that your presence can scarce
be needed. Trust me, your time shall not pass tediously with us;
at least you will find me and my daughter heartily desirous to do
all we may to pleasure you.
NILS LYKKE. I doubt neither your goodwill toward me nor your
daughter's; of that I have had full proof. And you will doubtless
allow that the necessity which calls for my presence elsewhere must
be more vital, since, despite your kindness, I must declare my
longer stay at Ostrat impossible.
LADY INGER. Is it even so!--Know you, Sir Councillor, were I
evilly disposed, I might fancy you had come to Ostrat to try a
fall with me, and that, having lost, you like not to linger on
the battlefield among the witnesses of your defeat.
NILS LYKKE (smiling). There might be some show of reason for
such a reading of the case; but sure it is that as yet _I_ hold
not the battle lost.
LADY INGER. Be that as it may, it might at any rate be retrieved,
if you would tarry some days with us. You see yourself, I am still
doubting and wavering at the parting of the ways,--persuading my
redoubtable assailant not to quit the field.--Well, to speak
plainly, the thing is this: your alliance with the disaffected in
Sweden still seems to me somewhat--ay, what shall I call it?--
somewhat miraculous, Sir Councillor! I tell you this frankly,
dear Sir! The thought that has moved the King's Council to this
secret step is in truth most politic; but it is strangely at
variance with the deeds of certain of your countrymen in bygone
years. Be not offended, then, if my trust in your fair promises
needs to be somewhat strengthened ere I can place my whole welfare
in your hands.
NILS LYKKE. A longer stay at Ostrat would scarce help towards
that end; since I purpose not to make any further effort to shake
your resolution.
LADY INGER. Then must I pity you from my heart. Ay, Sir
Councillor--'tis true I stand here an unfriended widow; yet may
you trust my word when I prophesy that this visit to Ostrat will
strew your future path with thorns.
NILS LYKKE (with a smile). Is that your prophecy, Lady Inger?
LADY INGER. Truly it is! What can one say dear Sir? 'Tis a
calumnious age. Many a scurril knave will make scornful rhymes
concerning you. Ere half a year is out, you will be all men's
fable; people will stop and gaze after you on the high roads;
'twill be: "Look, look; there rides Sir Nils Lykke, that fared
north to Ostrat to trap Inger Gyldenlove, and was caught in his
own nets."--Nay nay, why so impatient, Sir Knight! 'Tis not that
_I_ think so; I do but forecast the thought of the malicious and
evil-minded; and of them, alas! there are many.--Ay, 'tis shame;
but so it is--you will reap nought but mockery--mockery, because
a woman was craftier than you. "Like a cunning fox," men will
say, "he crept into Ostrat; like a beaten hound he slunk away."
--And one thing more: think you not that Peter Kanzler and his
friends will forswear your alliance, when 'tis known that I
venture not to fight under a standard borne by you?
NILS LYKKE. You speak wisely, lady! And so, to save myself
from mockery--and further, to avoid breaking with all our dear
friends in Sweden--I must needs----
LADY INGER (hastily). ----prolong your stay at Ostrat?
OLAF SKAKTAVL (who has been listening). He is in the trap!
NILS LYKKE. No, my noble lady;--I must needs bring you to terms
within this hour.
LADY INGER. But what if you should fail?
NILS LYKKE. I shall _not_ fail.
LADY INGER. You lack not confidence, it seems.
NILS LYKKE. What shall we wager that you make not common cause
with myself and Peter Kanzler?
LADY INGER. Ostrat Castle against your knee-buckles.
NILS LYKKE (points to himself and cries:) Olaf Skaktavl--here
stands the master of Ostrat!
LADY INGER. Sir Councillor----!
NILS LYKKE (to LADY INGER). I accept not the wager; for in a
moment you will gladly give Ostrat Castle, and more to boot, to
be freed from the snare wherein not I but you are tangled.
LADY INGER. Your jest, Sir, grows a vastly merry one.
NILS LYKKE. 'Twill be merrier yet--at least for me. You boast
that you have overreached me. You threaten to heap on me all men's
scorn and mockery. Ah, beware that you stir not up my vengefulness;
For with two words I can bring you to your knees at my feet.
LADY INGER. Ha-ha---- ----!
(Stops suddenly, as if struck by a foreboding.)
And the two words, Nils Lykke?--the two words----?
NILS LYKKE. ----The secret of Sten Sture's son and yours.
LADY INGER (with a shriek). Oh, Jesus Christ----!
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Inger Gyldenlove's son! What say you?
LADY INGER (half kneeling to NILS LYKKE). Mercy! oh be merciful
----!
NILS LYKKE (raises her up). Collect yourself, and let us talk
calmly.
LADY INGER (in a low voice, as though bewildered). Did you
hear it, Olaf Skaktavl? or was it but a dream? Heard you what
he said?
NILS LYKKE. It was no dream, Lady Inger!
LADY INGER. And you know it! You,--you!-- Where is he then?
Where have you got him? What would you do with him? (Screams.)
Do not kill him, Nils Lykke! Give him back to me! Do not kill
my child!