NILS LYKKE. You speak wisely, lady! And so, to save myself from mockery—and further, to avoid breaking with all our dear friends in Sweden—I must needs——
LADY INGER (hastily). ——prolong your stay at Ostrat?
OLAF SKAKTAVL (who has been listening). He is in the trap!
NILS LYKKE. No, my noble lady;—I must needs bring you to terms within this hour.
LADY INGER. But what if you should fail?
NILS LYKKE. I shall not fail.
LADY INGER. You lack not confidence, it seems.
NILS LYKKE. What shall we wager that you make not common cause with myself and Peter Kanzler?
LADY INGER. Ostrat Castle against your knee-buckles.
NILS LYKKE (points to himself and cries:) Olaf Skaktavl—here stands the master of Ostrat!