ELINA. I hate him.
NILS LYKKE. Hate him not! If there be mercy in your heart, forgive him his sin. Trust me, he bears his punishment in his own breast.
ELINA. Him I will never forgive! I cannot, even if I would;
for I have sworn so dear an oath——
(Listening.)
Hush! Can you hear——?
NILS LYKKE. What? Where?
ELINA. Without; far off. The noise of many horsemen on the
high-road.
NILS LYKKE. Ah, it is they! And I had forgotten——! They
are coming hither. Then is the danger great;—I must begone!
ELINA. But whither? Oh, Nils Lykke, what are you hiding——?
NILS LYKKE. To-morrow, Elina——; for as God lives, I will return then.—Quickly now—where is the secret passage you told me of?
ELINA. Through the grave-vault. See,—here is the trap-door.
NILS LYKKE. The grave-vault! (To himself.) No matter, he must be saved!