HIORDIS (looks after her in silence for a moment). And it was she
I would have—— (completes her thought by a glance at the bow-string).
That would have been a poor revenge;—nay, I have cut deeper now! Hm;
it is hard to die, but sometimes it is harder still to live!
(SIGURD enters from the back.)
HIORDIS. Doubtless thou seekest Gunnar; be seated, he will be here even now.
(Is going.)
SIGURD. Nay, stay; it is thee I seek, rather than him.
HIORDIS. Me?
SIGURD. And 'tis well I find thee alone.
HIORDIS. If thou comest to mock me, it would sure be no hindrance to thee though the hall were full of men and women.
SIGURD. Ay, ay, well I know what thoughts thou hast of me.
HIORDIS (bitterly). I do thee wrong mayhap! Nay, nay, Sigurd, thou hast been as a poison to all my days. Bethink thee who it was that wrought that shameful guile; who it was that lay by my side in the bower, feigning love with the laugh of cunning in his heart; who it was that flung me forth to Gunnar, since for him I was good enough, forsooth—and then sailed away with the woman he held dear!