For that I am too busy, and my heart too full of glee!

[Signë runs out to the left, singing.

Margit.

[After a pause.] Gudmund Alfson coming hither! Hither—to Solhoug? No, no, it cannot be.—Signë heard him singing, she said! When I have heard the pine-trees moaning in the forest afar, when I have heard the waterfall thunder and the birds pipe their lure in the treetops, it has many a time seemed to me as though, through it all, the sound of Gudmund’s songs came blended. And yet he was far from here.—Signë has deceived herself. Gudmund cannot be coming.

[Bengt enters hastily from the back.

Bengt.

[Entering, calls loudly.] An unlooked-for guest, my wife!

Margit.

What guest?

Bengt.