(Begins to descend.)
ELINA. Go forward along the passage till you reach the coffin
with the death's-head and the black cross; it is Lucia's----
NILS LYKKE (climbs back hastily and shuts the trap-door to).
Lucia's! Pah----!
ELINA. What said you?
NILS LYKKE. Nay, nought. It was the scent of the grave that
made me dizzy.
ELINA. Hark; they are hammering at the gate!
NILS LYKKE (lets the lantern fall). Ah! too late----!
(BIORN enters hurriedly from the right, carrying a light.)
ELINA (goes towards him). What is amiss, Biorn? What is it?