this day three years ago made me Dame Margit's husband.

MARGIT.

[Impatiently, interrupting.] As I said, we hold a feast to-day.
When Mass is over, and your other business done, I would have you
ride hither again, and join in the banquet. Then you can learn
to know my sister.

KNUT.

So be it, Dame Margit; I thank you. Yet 'twas not to go to Mass
that I rode hither this morning. Your kinsman, Gudmund Alfson,
was the cause of my coming.

MARGIT.

[Starts.] He! My kinsman? Where would you seek him?

KNUT.

His homestead lies behind the headland, on the other side of
the fiord.

MARGIT.

But he himself is far away.

ERIK.

Be not so sure; he may be nearer than you think.

KNUT.

[Whispers.] Hold your peace!

MARGIT.

Nearer? What mean you?

KNUT.

Have you not heard, then, that Gudmund Alfson has come back to
Norway? He came with the Chancellor Audun of Hegranes, who was
sent to France to bring home our new Queen.

MARGIT.

True enough, but in these very days the King holds his wedding-
feast in full state at Bergen, and there is Gudmund Alfson a guest.

BENGT.

And there could we too have been guests had my wife so willed it.

ERIK.

[Aside to KNUT.] Then Dame Margit knows not that--?

KNUT.

[Aside.] So it would seem; but keep your counsel. [Aloud.]
Well, well, Dame Margit, I must go my way none the less, and see
what may betide. At nightfall I will be here again.

MARGIT.

And then you must show whether you have power to bridle your
unruly spirit.

BENGT.

Aye, mark you that.

MARGIT.

You must lay no hand on your axe--hear you, Knut Gesling?

BENGT.

Neither on your axe, nor on your knife, nor on any other
weapon whatsoever.

MARGIT.

For then can you never hope to be one of our kindred.

BENGT.

Nay, that is our firm resolve.

KNUT.

[To MARGIT.] Have no fear.

BENGT.

And what we have firmly resolved stands fast.

KNUT.

That I like well, Sir Bengt Gauteson. I, too, say the same; and
I have pledged myself at the feast-board to wed your kinswoman.
You may be sure that my pledge, too, will stand fast.--God's peace
till to-night!

[He and ERIK, with their men, go out at the back.
[BENGT accompanies them to the door. The sound of the bells
has in the meantime ceased.

BENGT.

[Returning.] Methought he seemed to threaten u