one.

(BIORN comes in with two lighted branch-candlesticks, which
he places on the tables.)

LADY INGER (who has begun on the papers again).
It is well. See you forget not what I have said. Many lights on
the table!
What are they about now in there?

BIORN. They are busy screwing down the coffin-lid.

LADY INGER (writing). Are they screwing it down _tight?_

BIORN. As tight as need be.

LADY INGER. Ay, ay--who can tell how tight it needs to be? Do
you see that 'tis well done.
(Goes up to him with her hand full of papers, and says
mysteriously:)
Biorn, you are an old man; but _one_ counsel I will give you. Be
on your guard against all men--both those that _are_ dead and those
that are still to die.--Now go in--go in and see to it that they
screw the lid down tightly.

BIORN (softly, shaking his head). I cannot make her out.

(Goes back again into the room on the left.)

LADY INGER (begins to seal a letter, but throws it down half-
closed; walks up and down awhile, and then says vehemently:)
Were I a coward I had never done it--never to all eternity!
Were I a coward, I had shrieked to myself: Refrain, ere yet thy
soul is utterly lost!
(Her eye falls on Sten Sture's picture; she turns to avoid
seeing it, and says softly:)
He is laughing down at me as though he were alive! Pah!
(Turns the picture to the wall without looking at it.)
Wherefore did you laugh? Was it because I did evil to your son?
But the other,--is not he your son too? And he is _mine_ as well;
mark that!
(Glances stealthily along the row of pictures.)
So wild as they are to-night, I have never seen them yet. Their
eyes follow me wherever I may go. (Stamps on the floor.) I will
not have it! (Begins to turn all the pictures to the wall.) Ay,
if it were the Holy Virgin herself---- ----- Thinkest thou _now_
is the time----? Why didst thou never hear my prayers, my burning
prayers, that I might get back my child? Why? Because the monk
of Wittenberg is right. There is no mediator between God and man!
(She draws her breath heavily and continues in ever-increasing
distraction.)
It is well that I know what to think in such things. There was
no one to see what was done in there. There is none to bear witness
against me.
(Suddenly stretches out her hands and whispers:)
My son! My beloved child! Come to me! Here I am! Hush! I
will tell you