t was she! No--no!

GUDMUND.

[To himself, as he catches sight of her.] Margit! She has
heard everything.

KNUT.

Ho, ho! So this is how it stands? Nay, Dame Margit, 'tis needless
to put on such an air of wonder; now I understand everything.

MARGIT.

[To SIGNE.] But not a moment ago you said--? [Suddenly grasping
the situation.] 'Twas Gudmund you meant!

SIGNE.

[Astonished.] Yes, did you not know it! But what ails
you, Margit?

MARGIT.

[In an almost toneless voice.] Nay, nothing, nothing.

KNUT.

[To MARGIT.] And this morning, when you made me give my word
that I would stir no strife here to-night--you already knew that
Gudmund Alfson was coming. Ha, ha, think not that you can hoodwink
Knut Gesling! Signe has become dear to me. Even this morning
'twas but my hasty vow that drove me to seek her hand; but now--

SIGNE.

[To MARGIT.] He? Was this the wooer that was in your mind?

MARGIT.

Hush, hush!

KNUT.

[Firmly and harshly.] Dame Margit--you are her elder sister; you
shall give me an answer.

MARGIT.

[Battling with herself.] Signe has already made her choice;--I
have naught to answer.

KNUT.

Good; then I have nothing more to do at Solhoug. But after
midnight--mark you this--the day is at an end; then you may chance
to see me again, and then Fortune must decide whether it be Gudmund
or I that shall bear Signe away from this house.

GUDMUND.

Aye, try if you dare; it shall cost you a bloody sconce.

SIGNE.

[In terror.] Gudmund! By all the saints--!

KNUT.

Gently, gently, Gudmund Alfson! Ere sunrise you shall be in my
power. And she--your lady-love-- [Goes up to the door, beckons
and calls in a low voice.] Erik! Erik! come hither! we must away
to our kinsfolk. [Threateningly, while ERIK shows himself in the
doorway.] Woe upon you all when I come again!

[He and ERIK go off to the left at the back.

SIGNE.

[Softly to GUDMUND.] Oh, tell me, what does all this mean?

GUDMUND.

[Whispering.] We must both leave Solhoug this very night.

SIGNE.

God shield me--you would--!

GUDMUND.

Say nought of it! No word to any one, not even to your sister.

MARGIT.

[To herself.] She--it is she! She of whom he had scarce thought
before to-night. Had I been free, I know well whom he had chosen.--
Aye, free!

[BENGT and GUESTS, both Men and Women enter