Damnation! He will snatch the prize out of my fingers----
(To LADY INGER.)
Wait till to-morrow!

LADY INGER (to NILS STENSSON). Count Sture--do you obey me or
not?

NILS STENSSON. To horse! (Goes up towards the background).

NILS LYKKE (aside). Unhappy boy! He knows not what he does.
(To LADY INGER.)
Well, since so it must be,--farewell!

(Bows hastily, and begins to move away.)

LADY INGER (detains him). Nay, stay! Not so, Sir Knight,--
not so!

NILS LYKKE. What mean you?

LADY INGER (in a low voice). Nils Lykke--you are a traitor!
Hush! Let no one see there is dissension in the camp of the
leaders. You have won Peter Kanzler's trust by some devilish
cunning that as yet I see not through. You have forced me to
rebellious acts--not to help our cause, but to further your own
plots, whatever they may be. I can draw back no more. But think
not therefore that you have conquered! I shall contrive to make
you harmless----

NILS LYKKE (lays his hand involuntarily on his sword). Lady
Inger!

LADY INGER. Be calm, Sir Councillor! Your life is safe. But
you come not outside the gates of Ostrat before victory is ours.

NILS LYKKE. Death and destruction!

LADY INGER. It boots not to resist. You come not from this
place. So rest you quiet; 'tis your wisest course.

NILS LYKKE (to himself). Ah,--I am overreached. She has been
craftier than I. (A thought strikes him.) But if I yet----?

LADY INGER (to OLAF SKAKTAVL). Ride with Count Sture's troops
to the frontier; then without pause to Peter Kanzler, and bring
me back my child. Now has he no longer any plea for keeping from
me what is my own.
(Adds, as OLAF SKAKTAVL is going:)
Wait; a token.--He that wears Sten Sture's ring is my son.

OLAF SKAKTAVL. By all the saints, you shall have him!

LADY INGER. Thanks,--thanks, my faithful friend!

NILS LYKKE (to FINN, whom he has beckoned to him unobserved,
and with whom he has been whispering). Good--now manage to slip
out. Let none see you. The Swedes are in ambush two miles hence.
Tell the commander that Count Sture is dead. The young man you
see there must not be touched. Tell the commander so. Tell him
the boy's life is worth thousands to me.

FINN. It shall be done.

LADY INGER (who has meanwhile been watching NILS LYKKE). And
now go, all of you; go with God! (Points to NILS LYKKE.) This
noble knight cannot find it