)

NILS LYKKE (clutches at his sword). What now?

NILS STENSSON (jumps down on to the floor). Ah; here I am at
last then!

NILS LYKKE (aside). What means this?

NILS STENSSON. God's peace, master!

NILS LYKKE. Thanks, good Sir! Methinks yo have chosen a strange
mode of entrance.

NILS STENSSON. Ay, what the devil was I to do? The gate was
shut. Folk must sleep in this house like bears at Yuletide.

NILS LYKKE. God be thanked! Know you not that a good conscience
is the best pillow?

NILS STENSSON. Ay, it must be even so; for all my rattling and
thundering, I----

NILS LYKKE. ----You won not in?

NILS STENSSON. You have hit it. So I said to myself: As you
are bidden to be in Ostrat to-night, if you have to go through
fire and water, you may surely make free to creep through a window.

NILS LYKKE (aside). Ah, if it should be----!
(Moves a step or two nearer.)
Was it, then, of the last necessity that you should reach Ostrat
to-night?

NILS STENSSON. Was it? Ay, faith but it was. I love not to
keep folk waiting, I can tell you.

NILS LYKKE. Aha,--then Lady Inger Gyldenlove looks for your
coming?

NILS STENSSON. Lady Inger Gyldenlove? Nay, that I can scarce
say for certain; (with a sly smile) but there might be some one
else----

NILS LYKKE (smiles in answer). Ah, so there might be some one
else?

NILS STENSSON. Tell me--are you of the house?

NILS LYKKE. I? Well, in so far that I am Lady Inger's guest
this evening.

NILS STENSSON. A guest?--Is not to-night the third night after
Martinmas?

NILS LYKKE. The third night after----? Ay, right enough.--Would
you seek the lady of the house at once? I think she is not yet
gone to rest. But might you not sit down and rest awhile, dear
young Sir? See, here is yet a flagon of wine remaining, and
doubtless you will find some food. Come, fall to; you will do
wisely to refresh your strength.

NILS STENSSON. You are right, Sir; 'twere not amiss.
(Sits down by the table and eats and drinks.)
Both roast meat and sweet cakes! Why, you live like lords here!
When one has slept, as I have, on the naked ground, and lived on
bread and water for four or five days----

NILS LYKKE (looks at him with a smile). Ay, such a life must
be hard for one that is wont to sit at the high-table in noble
halls----

NILS STENSSON. Noble halls----?

NILS LYKKE. But now can you take your r