GUNLÖD. So be it. Now your moment has come—take your revenge—I'll show you how—like this. [Takes a lighted torch.] Put this torch in the window-hole on the right and you wreck him. Put it in the left and you save him—
VALGERD [Interrupts]. Give me the torch and leave me.
GUNLÖD. There is a sacrifice which can pacify your god's. Sacrifice your revenge.
VALGERD. [Takes torch, hesitates, and goes quickly to left window-hole and places it there. Trumpets are heard]. You struck me, Thorfinn—I swore revenge—I shall humble you with a kind deed.
GUNLÖD [Unseen by Valgerd has entered and falls on her mother's neck]. Thanks, mother.
VALGERD [Disconcerted]. Haven't you gone—
GUNLÖD. Now I shall go. [Gunlöd goes.]
VALGERD [Alone by the window-hole]. You shout for help, you mighty man, who always helped yourself. [Trumpets are heard.] Where is now your might—where is your kingdom—[A gust of wind blows out the lighted torch. Valgerd, terribly frightened, takes torch and lights it.] Oh, he will perish! What shall I do? Pray? To whom? Odin? Njard? Ogir? I have called to them for four times ten years, but never have they answered. I have sacrificed, but never have they helped. Thou, God, however you may be called—Thou mighty one, who bids the sun to rise and set, thou tremendous one who rules over the winds and water—to you will I pray, to you will I sacrifice my revenge if you will save him.
[Orm enters unnoticed.]
ORM. Good evening to you, Valgerd. Put on your cloak—the wind is sharp.