(anxiously). Well--and then----?

LADY INGER. He is the guest I look for to-night.

ELINA. He comes here? And to-night?

LADY INGER. He reached Trondhiem yesterday by a trading ship.
Word has just been brought that he is coming to visit me; he may
be here within the hour.

ELINA. Have you not thought, my mother, how it will endanger
your fame thus to receive the Danish envoy? Do not the people
already regard you with distrustful eyes? How can you hope that,
when the time comes, they will let you rule and guide them, if
it be known----

LADY INGER. Fear not. All this I have fully weighed; but there
is no danger. His errand in Norway is a secret; he has come unknown
to Trondhiem, and unknown shall he be our guest at Ostrat.

ELINA. And the name of this Danish lord----?

LADY INGER. It sounds well, Elina; Denmark has scarce a nobler
name.

ELINA. But what do you propose then? I cannot yet grasp your
meaning.

LADY INGER. You will soon understand.--Since we cannot trample
on the serpent, we must bind him.

ELINA. Take heed that he burst not your bonds.

LADY INGER. It rests with you to tighten them as you will.

ELINA. With me?

LADY INGER. I have long seen that Ostrat is as a cage to you.
The young falcon chafes behind the iron bars.

ELINA. My wings are clipped. Even if you set me free--it would
avail me little.

LADY INGER. Your wings are not clipped, except by your own will.

ELINA. Will? My will is in your hands. Be what you once were,
and I too----

LADY INGER. Enough, enough. Hear what remains---- It would
scarce break your heart to leave Ostrat?

ELINA. Maybe not, my mother!

LADY INGER. You told me once, that you lived your happiest life
in tales and histories. What if that life were to be yours once
more?

ELINA. What mean you?

LADY INGER. Elina--if a mighty noble were now to come and lead
you to his castle, where you should find damsels and pages, silken
robes and lofty halls awaiting you?

ELINA. A noble, you say?

LADY INGER. A noble.

ELINA (more softly). And the Danish envoy comes here to-night?

LADY INGER. To-night.

ELINA. If so be, then I fear to read the meaning of your words.

LADY INGER. There is nought to fear if you misread them not. Be
sure it is far from my thought to put force upon you. You shall
choose for yourself in this matter, and follow your own counsel.