(The Banquet Hall. It is still night. The hall is but dimly
lighted by a branch-candlestick on the table, in front, on
the right.)
(LADY INGER is sitting by the table, deep in thought.)
LADY INGER (after a pause). They call me keen-witted beyond
all others in the land. I believe they are right. The keenest-
witted---- No one knows how I became so. For more than twenty
years I have fought to save my child. _That_ is the key to the
riddle. Ay, that sharpens the wits!
My wits? Where have they flown to-night? What has become of
my forethought? There is a ringing and rushing in my ears. I
see shapes before me, so life-like that methinks I could lay hold
on them.
(Springs up.)
Lord Jesus--what is this? Am I no longer mistress of my reason?
Is it to come to that----?
(Presses her clasped hands over her head; sits down again, and
says more calmly:)
Nay, 'tis nought. It will pass. There is no fear;--it will pass.
How peaceful it is in the hall to-night! No threatening looks
from forefathers or kinsfolk. No need to turn their faces to the
wall.
(Rises again.)
Ay, 'twas well that I took heart at last. We shall conquer;--and
then I am at the end of my longings. I shall have my child again.
(Takes up the light as if to go, but stops and says musingly:)
At the end? The end? To get him back? Is that all?--is there
nought further?
(Sets the light down on the table.)
That heedless word that Nils Lykke threw forth at random---- How
could he see my unborn thought?
(More softly.)
A king's mother? A king's mother, he said----Why not? Have not
my forefathers ruled as kings, even though they bore not the kingly
name? Has not _my_ son as good a title as the other to the rights
of the house of Sture? In the sight of God he has--if so be there
is justice in Heaven.
And in an hour of terror I have signed away his rights. I have
recklessly squandered them, as a ransom for his freedom.
If they could be recovered?--Would Heaven be angered, if I----?
Would it call down fresh troubles on my head if I were to----?
Who knows; who knows! It may be safest to refrain. (Takes up the
light again.) I shall have my child again. _That_ must suffice
me. I will try to rest. All these desperate thoughts,--I will
sleep them away.
(Goes towards the back, but stops in the middle of the hall,
and says broodingly:)
A king's mother!
(Goes slowly out at the back, to the left.)
(After a short pause, NILS LYKKE and ELINA GYLDENLOVE enter
noiselessly by the first door on the left. NILS LYKKE has
a small lantern in his hand.)
NILS LYKKE. (throws the light from his lantern around, so as to
search the room). All is still. I must begone.
ELINA. Oh, let me look but once more into your eyes, before
you leave me.
NILS LYKKE (embraces her). Elina!
ELINA (after a short pause). Will you come nevermore to Ostrat?
NILS LYKKE. How can you doubt that I will come? Are you not
henceforth my betrothed?--But will _you_ be true to _me_, Elina?
Will you not forget me ere we meet again?
ELINA. Do you ask if I _will_ be true? Have I any will left
then? Have I power to be untrue to you, even if I would?--you
came by night; you knocked upon my door;--and I opened to you.
You spoke to me. What was it you said? You gazed in my eyes.
What was the mystic might that turned my brain and lured me, as
it were, within a magic net? (Hides her face on his shoulder.)
Oh, look not on me, Nils Lykke! You must not look upon me after
this---- True, say you ? Do you not own me? I am yours;--I
must be yours--to all eternity.
NILS LYKKE. Now, by my knightly honour, ere the year be past,
you shall sit as my wife in the hall of my fathers.
ELINA. No vows, Nils Lykke! No oaths to me.
NILS LYKKE. What mean you? Why do you shake your head so
mournfully?
ELINA. Because I know that the same soft words wherewith you
turned my brain, you have whispered to so many a one before. Nay,
nay, be not angry, my beloved! In nought do I reproach you, as
I did while yet I knew you not. Now I understand how high above
all others is your goal. How can love be aught to you but a
pastime, or woman but a toy?
NILS LYKKE. Elina,--hear me!
ELINA. As I grew up, your name was ever in my ears. I hated
the name, for meseemed that all women were dishonoured by your
life. And yet,--how strange!--when I built up in my dreams the
life that should be mine, you were ever my hero, though I knew
it not. Now I understand it all--now know I what it was I felt.
It was a foreboding, a mysterious longing for you, you only one--
for you that were one day to come and glorify my life.
NILS LYKKE (aside, putting down the lantern on the table). How
is it with me? This dizzy fascination---- If this it be to love,
then have I never known it till this hour.--Is there not yet time
----? Oh horror--Lucia!
(Sinks into a chair.)