LADY INGER. He is the guest I look for to-night.
ELINA. He comes here? And to-night?
LADY INGER. He reached Trondhiem yesterday by a trading ship. Word has just been brought that he is coming to visit me; he may be here within the hour.
ELINA. Have you not thought, my mother, how it will endanger your fame thus to receive the Danish envoy? Do not the people already regard you with distrustful eyes? How can you hope that, when the time comes, they will let you rule and guide them, if it be known——
LADY INGER. Fear not. All this I have fully weighed; but there is no danger. His errand in Norway is a secret; he has come unknown to Trondhiem, and unknown shall he be our guest at Ostrat.
ELINA. And the name of this Danish lord——?
LADY INGER. It sounds well, Elina; Denmark has scarce a nobler
name.
ELINA. But what do you propose then? I cannot yet grasp your
meaning.
LADY INGER. You will soon understand.—Since we cannot trample
on the serpent, we must bind him.
ELINA. Take heed that he burst not your bonds.