f-smile.) "Blossoms plucked are
blossoms withered---- ----" (Looks round him again.)
Ostrat. 'Tis as though I had seen it all before; as though I
were at home here.--In there is the Banquet Hall. And underneath
is--the grave-vault. It must be there that Lucia lies.
(In a lower voice, half seriously, half with forced gaiety.)
Were I timorous, I might well find myself fancying that when I
set foot within Ostrat gate she turned about in her coffin; as I
walked across the courtyard she lifted the lid; and when I named
her name but now, 'twas as though a voice summoned her forth from
the grave-vault.--Maybe she is even now groping her way up the
stairs. The face-cloth blinds her, but she gropes on and on in
spite of it.
Now she has reached the Banquet Hall; she stands watching me from
behind the door!
(Turns his head backwards over one shoulder, nods, and says
aloud:)
Come nearer, Lucia! Talk to me a little! Your mother keeps me
waiting. 'Tis tedious waiting--and you have helped me to while
away many a tedious hour---- ----
(Passes his hand over his forehead, and takes one or two turns
up and down.)
Ah, there!--Right, right; there is the the deep curtained window.
It is there that Inger Gyldenlove is wont to stand gazing out over
the road, as though looking for one that never comes. In there--
(looks towards the door on the left)--somewhere in there is Sister
Elina's chamber. Elina? Ay, Elina is her name. Can it be that
she is so rare a being--so wise and so brave as Lucia drew her?
Fair, too, they say. But for a wedded wife----? I should not
have written so plainly---- ----
(Lost in thought, he is on the point of sitting down by the
table, but stands up again.)
How will Lady Inger receive me? She will scarce burn the castle
over our heads, or slip me through a trap-door. A stab from behind----?
No, not that way either----
(Listens towards the hall.)
Aha!

(LADY INGER GYLDENLOVE enters from the hall.)

LADY INGER (coldly). My greeting to you, Sir Councillor----

NILS LYKKE (bows deeply). Ah--the Lady of Ostrat!

LADY INGER. And thanks that you have forewarned me of your visit.

NILS LYKKE. I could do no less. I had reason to think that my
coming might surprise you----

LADY INGER. In truth, Sir Councillor, you thought right there.
Nils Lykke was certainly the last guest I looked to see at Ostrat.

NILS LYKKE. And still