t that?

NILS STENSSON. I cannot deny it. He has ever named you as our
bitterest foe----

NILS LYKKE. And therefore you mistrust me?

NILS STENSSON. Nay, not wholly that; but--well, the devil take
musing!

NILS LYKKE. Well said. Go but your own way, and you are as sure
of the halter as you are of a Count's title and a chain of gold if
you trust to me.

NILS STENSSON. That will I. My hand upon it, dear Sir! Do
you but help me with good counsel as long as there is need; when
counsel gives place to blows I shall look to myself.

NILS LYKKE. It is well. Come with me now into yonder chamber,
and I will tell you how all these matters stand, and what you have
still to do.

(Goes out to the right.)

NILS STENSSON (with a glance at the picture). _I_ Sten Sture's
son! Oh, marvellous as a dream--!

(Goes out after NILS LYKKE.)

ACT FOURTH.

(The Banquet Hall, as before, but without the supper-table.)

(BIORN, the major-domo, enters carrying a lighted branch-candlestick,
and lighting in LADY INGER and OLAF SKAKTAVL by the second door,
on the left. LADY INGER has a bundle of papers in her hand.)

LADY INGER (to BIORN). And you are sure my daughter spoke with
the knight, here in the hall?

BIORN (putting down the branch-candlestick on the table on the
left). Sure as may be. I met her even as she stepped into the
passage.

LADY INGER. And she seemed greatly moved? Said you not so?

BIORN. She looked all pale and disturbed. I asked if she were
sick; she answered not, but said: "Go to mother and tell her the
knight sets forth ere daybreak; if she have letters or messages
for him, beg her not to delay him needlessly." And then she added
somewhat that I heard not rightly.

LADY INGER. Did you not hear it at all?

BIORN. It sounded to me as though she said:--"I almost fear he
has already stayed too long at Ostrat."

LADY INGER. And the knight? Where is he?

BIORN. In his chamber belike, in the gate-wing.

LADY INGER. It is well. What I have to send by him is ready.
Go to him and say I await him here in the hall.

(BIORN goes out to the right.)

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Know you, Lady Inger,--'tis true that in such
things I am blind as a mole; yet seems it to me as though--hm!

LADY INGER. Well?

OLAF SKAKTAVL. ----As though Nils Lykke loved your daughter.

LADY INGER. Then it seems you are not so blind after all; I am