LADY INGER. When life is at stake, he said, we must try the last resource.—It is well, Olaf Skaktavl,—let it be as he has said!
OLAF SKAKTAVL. What mean you?
LADY INGER. Life for life! One of them must perish.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ah—you would——?
LADY INGER. If we close not the lips of him that is within ere he come to speech with the Swedish captain, then is my son lost to me. But if he be swept from my path, when the time comes I can claim all his rights for my own child. Then shall you see that Inger Ottisdaughter has metal in her yet. And be assured you shall not have long to wait for the vengeance you have thirsted after for twenty years.—Hark! They are coming up the stairs! Olaf Skaktavl,—it lies with you whether to-morrow I shall be a childless woman, or——
OLAF SKAKTAVL. So be it! I have one sound hand left yet. (Gives her his hand.) Inger Gyldenlove—your name shall not die out through me.
(Follows NILS STENSSON into the inner room.)
LADY INGER (pale and trembling). But dare I——?
(A noise is heard in the room; she rushes with a scream towards
the door.)
No, no,—it must not be!
(A heavy fall is heard within; she covers her ears with her
hands and hurries back across the hall with a wild look.
After a pause she takes her hands cautiously away, listens
again and says softly:)
Now it is over. All is still within——
Thou sawest it, God—I repented me! But Olaf Skaktavl was too
swift of hand.
(OLAF SKAKTAVL comes silently into the hall.)
LADY INGER (after a pause, without looking at him). Is it done?