LADY KIRSTEN. [With forced composure.] Lord Arne!
how can you believe such a thing?
ARNE. [In a low tone.] O, I see clearly! Now
I should think I had very good reason to break the
agreement.
LADY KIRSTEN. [Softly and frightened.] Break the
agreement! I beg of you! Will you put
us all to shame?
[They talk together softly.]
HEMMING. [To INGEBORG, with whom he has in the meantime
been whispering.] That is all there is to it, I swear.
Lady Kirsten and I have not understood each other.
INGEBORG. Well, then decline! You shall!
I command you.
HEMMING. No, no! I dare not; she will
then see that it was you I was thinking of.
INGEBORG. Good; then I shall.
INGEBORG. [Aloud.] Hemming shall not go to the altar
with
Alfhild;—he is too good to marry another
man’s darling!
OLAF. [With a cry.] For shame!
THE GUESTS. Darling!
ARNE. [To INGEBORG.] What are you saying?
LADY KIRSTEN. Heaven protect us!
OLAF. Cursed be my soul! She is put to
shame!
INGEBORG. Yes, loudly I proclaim it: she
is another man’s darling. Let him gainsay
it who dares.
ARNE. Ingeborg!
ARNE. [Aside.] What is the matter with her?
LADY KIRSTEN. [Softly.] So that’s the way
it is! She then,—she it is who cares
for Hemming!
LADY KIRSTEN. [Softly and clearly, to ARNE.] Do
you now intend to break the agreement? You can
now see for yourself from your daughter’s conduct
what reason I had to get Hemming married!
ARNE. [Disconcerted.] My daughter! Could you
imagine that she—
LADY KIRSTEN. You need not pretend! Ingeborg
has a fancy for your house-carl; now I should think
I had good reason to break our agreement.
ARNE. Break, break—! What are you
thinking of! To bring on me such disgrace!
LADY KIRSTEN. [Mocking.] Yes,—otherwise
you would do it!
ARNE. [Quickly.] No, no, I have reconsidered; it
is best we both keep still!
LADY KIRSTEN. [To herself.] See, now have I won!
I know Olaf; a woman so scorned will never tempt
him!
* * *
* *
[The Preceding. ALFHILD comes unnoticed out
of the storehouse in glittering bridal dress with
a crown on her head and her hair flowing.]
ARNE. [Aside.] This has been a cursed day for me!
O, he is a cunning dog, this Hemming! He knew
that Ingeborg had a fancy for him; it was therefore
so galling to him that Olaf should have her.
LADY KIRSTEN. [Who has in the meantime regained her
composure.] And now to the festive hall! Hemming
we can think of later.—Olaf, take your
bride by the hand!
ARNE. [Reluctantly, as he sees INGEBORG whisper to
HEMMING.] Where is the bride? Come, come!
