left.

BENGT.

You are not in the humour to-night. Ha, ha, ha! That means no
great matter, I know.

MARGIT.

[Softly, as she fills the goblet.] Oh, that this might be the
last beaker I should fill for you.

[She leaves the goblet on the table and is making her way
out to the left.

BENGT.

Hark to me, Margit. For one thing you may thank Heaven, and
that is, that I made you my wife before Gudmund Alfson came back.

MARGIT.

Why so?

BENGT.

Why, say you? Am not I ten times the richer man? And certain
I am that he would have sought you for his wife, had you not been
the mistress of Solhoug.

MARGIT.

[Drawing nearer and glancing at the goblet.] Say you so?

BENGT.

I could take my oath upon it. Bengt Gauteson has two sharp eyes
in his head. But he may still have Signe.

MARGIT.

And you think he will--?

BENGT.

Take her? Aye, since he cannot have you. But had you been
free,--then-- Ha, ha, ha! Gudmund is like the rest. He envies
me my wife. That is why I set such store by you, Margit. Here
with the goblet again. And let it be full to the brim!

MARGIT.

[Goes unwillingly across to the right.] You shall have it
straightway.

BENGT.

Knut Gesling is a suitor for Signe, too, but him I am resolved
to slay. Gudmund is an honourable man; he shall have her. Think,
Margit, what good days we shall have with them for neighbours. We
will go a-visiting each other, and then will we sit the live-long
day, each with his wife on his knee, drinking and talking of this
and that.

MARGIT.

[Whose mental struggle is visibly becoming more severe,
involuntarily takes out the phial as she says:] No doubt no doubt!

BENGT.

Ha, ha, ha! it may be that at first Gudmund will look askance
at me when I take you in my arms; but that, I doubt not, he will
soon get over.

MARGIT.

This is more than woman can bear! [Pours the contents of the
phial into the goblet, goes to the window and throws out the phial,
then says, without looking at him.] Your beaker is full.

BENGT.

Then bring it hither!

MARGIT.

[Battling in an agony of indecision, at last says.] I pray you
drink no more to-night!

BENGT.

[Leans back in his chair and laughs.] Oho! You are impatient
for my coming? Get you in; I will follow you soon.

MARGIT.

[Suddenly decided.] Your beaker is full. [Points.] There it is.