OLAF SKAKTAVL. What then?
LADY INGER. ——She will shrink from him as though he were sent by the foul Tempter himself. Hist, Olaf Skaktavl! Here he comes. Now be cautious.
(NILS LYKKE enters by the foremost door on the right.)
NILS LYKKE (approaches LADY INGER courteously). My noble hostess
has summoned me.
LADY INGER. I have learned through my daughter that you are
minded to leave us to-night.
NILS LYKKE. Even so, to my sorrow;—since my business at Ostrat
is over.
OLAF SKAKTAVL. Not before I have the papers.
NILS LYKKE. True, true. I had well-nigh forgotten the weightiest part of my errand. 'Twas the fault of our noble hostess. With such pleasant skill did she keep her guests in talk at the table——
LADY INGER. That you no longer remembered what had brought you hither? I rejoice to hear it; For that was my design. Methought that if my guest, Nils Lykke, were to feel at ease in Ostrat, he must forget——
NILS LYKKE. What, lady?