How strange and how good it is to hate! Never have I known how sweet it can be—till to-night. Ah—not to live a thousand years would I sell the moments I have lived since I saw him!—
“God’s holy blood, but she is proud——”
[Goes slowly towards the back, opens the window and looks out. Nils Lykke comes in by the first door on the right.
Nils Lykke.
[To himself.] “Sleep well at Östråt, Sir Knight,” said Inger Gyldenlöve as she left me. Sleep well? Ay, ’tis easily said, but——Out there, sky and sea in tumult; below, in the grave-vault, a young girl on her bier; the fate of two kingdoms in my hand;—and in my breast a withered flower that a woman has flung at my feet. Truly, I fear me sleep will be slow of coming.
[Notices Elina, who has left the window, and is going out on the left.
There she is. Her haughty eyes seem veiled with thought.—Ah, if I but dared—. [Aloud.] Mistress Elina!
Elina.
[Stops at the door.] What will you? Why do you pursue me?
Nils Lykke.