[The Preceding. ARNE, INGEBORG, HEMMING, WEDDING
GUESTS, and LADY KIRSTEN from the left.]
ARNE. Good luck, Lady Kirsten, to you! You have found him
again, I am told.
LADY KIRSTEN. Of course I have found him.--And now for home!
ARNE. [To OLAF.] And no harm has been done you?
OLAF. [Absent-minded.] Me! What do you mean?
LADY KIRSTEN. [Interrupting.] Of course not, Lord Arne! He
went astray on the hunt and--
INGEBORG. [Pointing to ALFHILD.] But this young woman--?
LADY KIRSTEN. A poor child! She has given him lodging and
shelter.
ARNE. But there is no one who lives up here.
LADY KIRSTEN. Yet a stray one here and there! There is many a
solitary family still dwells among the mountains since the time
of the plague.
ARNE. Then come, come! The horses are waiting below on the
hill.
OLAF. [Painfully, as he glances at ALFHILD.] O mother! I
cannot!
LADY KIRSTEN. [Softly and resolute.] You must! It will be your
eternal shame if you--
ARNE. What does he mean?
LADY KIRSTEN. He is sick and tired as yet, but it will pass off.
Come!
LADY KIRSTEN. [With a significant look at OLAF.] The young
woman comes too!
INGEBORG. You mean that she--!
LADY KIRSTEN. Faithfully has she nursed him; it is only fitting
that she be rewarded.
ARNE. And tomorrow the wedding is held!
LADY KIRSTEN. Tomorrow,--that I solemnly swear!
ARNE. I have your word!
HEMMING. [Softly and triumphant, as he brings forth the ring.]
And I have Ingeborg's golden ring!
INGEBORG. [Takes the ring from him and says carelessly.]
My ring! Aha,--so you have my ring, Hemming! Thanks, I shall
now take care of it myself!
[HEMMING stands a moment dumfounded and then follows very slowly
the rest, who all except ALFHILD go out to the left.]
* * * * *