tient, Sir Knight! 'Tis not that
_I_ think so; I do but forecast the thought of the malicious and
evil-minded; and of them, alas! there are many.--Ay, 'tis shame;
but so it is--you will reap nought but mockery--mockery, because
a woman was craftier than you. "Like a cunning fox," men will
say, "he crept into Ostrat; like a beaten hound he slunk away."
--And one thing more: think you not that Peter Kanzler and his
friends will forswear your alliance, when 'tis known that I
venture not to fight under a standard borne by you?

NILS LYKKE. You speak wisely, lady! And so, to save myself
from mockery--and further, to avoid breaking with all our dear
friends in Sweden--I must needs----

LADY INGER (hastily). ----prolong your stay at Ostrat?

OLAF SKAKTAVL (who has been listening). He is in the trap!

NILS LYKKE. No, my noble lady;--I must needs bring you to terms
within this hour.

LADY INGER. But what if you should fail?

NILS LYKKE. I shall _not_ fail.

LADY INGER. You lack not confidence, it seems.

NILS LYKKE. What shall we wager that you make not common cause
with myself and Peter Kanzler?

LADY INGER. Ostrat Castle against your knee-buckles.

NILS LYKKE (points to himself and cries:) Olaf Skaktavl--here
stands the master of Ostrat!

LADY INGER. Sir Councillor----!

NILS LYKKE (to LADY INGER). I accept not the wager; for in a
moment you will gladly give Ostrat Castle, and more to boot, to
be freed from the snare wherein not I but you are tangled.

LADY INGER. Your jest, Sir, grows a vastly merry one.

NILS LYKKE. 'Twill be merrier yet--at least for me. You boast
that you have overreached me. You threaten to heap on me all men's
scorn and mockery. Ah, beware that you stir not up my vengefulness;
For with two words I can bring you to your knees at my feet.

LADY INGER. Ha-ha---- ----!
(Stops suddenly, as if struck by a foreboding.)
And the two words, Nils Lykke?--the two words----?

NILS LYKKE. ----The secret of Sten Sture's son and yours.

LADY INGER (with a shriek). Oh, Jesus Christ----!

OLAF SKAKTAVL. Inger Gyldenlove's son! What say you?

LADY INGER (half kneeling to NILS LYKKE). Mercy! oh be merciful
----!

NILS LYKKE (raises her up). Collect yourself, and let us talk
calmly.

LADY INGER (in a low voice, as though bewildered). Did you
hear it, Olaf Skaktavl? or was it but a dream? Heard you what
he said?

NILS L