Siegfried and Gudrun with Hagen met the royal party at the landing.
"Welcome home, brother!" said Siegfried. "I am overjoyed to see that you have been as successful in your suit as I have been in mine."
Gudrun also had kissed her brother. Brunhilde, however, at sight of Siegfried started back.
"Siegfried! You here? Is it true then that you are plighted to another?"
"I am plighted to Gudrun," he answered calmly.
Brunhilde felt a deathly faintness come over her and came near falling to the ground. Siegfried sprang forward and supported her.
"Ah, Siegfried beloved! do you not remember me?" she asked faintly.
The voice stirred strange chords within him, but he did not understand them. He quietly seated her, then turning, said, "Gunther, your bride is ill." And as the King approached, he added to her, "You have been faint. See, here comes your husband."
As he pointed to the King, Brunhilde saw the fatal Ring gleaming upon Siegfried's finger.
"Ha! the Ring!" she cried. "Siegfried's Ring! My Ring! Where got you it, if you are not my hero himself?"