LADY KIRSTEN. Yes, yes! Perhaps I too was wrong,—let us not say any more of that!
ARNE. But I, then? And my daughter, whom Olaf had pledged—Yet, it is true, perhaps she is no longer alive!
OLAF. Of course she's alive!
ARNE. She lives! Where is she? Where?
OLAF. That I can not say; but I may say that we both in all friendliness have broken our pledge.
LADY KIRSTEN. You see, Lord Arne! that I—
ARNE. Well, my daughter shall not be forced upon any one. Alfhild was fated to marry a knight; the same may happen to Ingeborg.
ARNE. [With dignity.] Noble lords and honorable men, hear me! It has come to my ear that many of you hold me to be little skilled in courtly manners and customs. I will show you now you are completely mistaken. In the old chronicles it is frequently told that when a noble king loses his daughter he promises her hand and half his kingdom to him who may find her; he who finds Ingeborg shall receive her hand in marriage and in addition half of all that I own and possess. Are you with me on that?
THE YOUNG MEN. Yes, yes!