VALGERD. When saw you a mother who did not know a daughter's secrets?
GUNLÖD. Who told you mine?
VALGERD [Harshly]. Dry your tears.
[A pause.]
GUNLÖD. Oh, let me go out—on the mountains—on the strand. It is so stifling here.
VALGERD. Go up to the loft—and you can be alone. [Enter a thrall.] What would you?
THRALL. The Erl's trumpets are heard beyond the rocks and the storm is growing.
VALGERD. Has darkness fallen?
THRALL. Yes, and a terrible darkness it is.
[A pause.]