THE WHOLE CROWD. Hail to him! Hail to Count Sture!
(General excitement. The Peasants and Retainers choose out weapons and put on breastplates and helmets, amid great noise.)
NILS LYKKE (softly and uneasily). The spirits awaking, she said? I but feigned to conjure up the devil of revolt—'twere a cursed spite if he got the upper hand of us.
LADY INGER (to NILS STENSSON). Here I give you the first earnest of our service—thirty mounted men, to follow you as bodyguard. Trust me—ere you reach the frontier many hundreds will have ranged themselves under my banner and yours. Go, then, and God be with you!
NILS STENSSON. Thanks,—Inger Gyldenlove! Thanks—and be sure that you shall never have cause to shame you for—for Count Sture! If you see me again I shall have won my father's kingdom.
NILS LYKKE (to himself). Ay, if she see you again!
OLAF SKAKTAVL. The horses wait, good fellows! Are ye ready?
THE PEASANTS. Ay, ay, ay!
NILS LYKKE (uneasily, to LADY INGER). What? You mean not to- night, even now——?
LADY INGER. This very moment, Sir Knight!