MARGIT.

Signe—­you are still a child; you know not what it means to have ever in your heart the dread of—­ [Suddenly breaking off.] Think, Signe, what it must be to wither and die without ever having lived.

SIGNE.

[Looks at her in astonishment, and shakes her head.] Nay, but, Margit—?

MARGIT.

  Aye, aye, you do not understand, but none the less—­

     [They go up again, talking to each other.  GUDMUND and KNUT
       come down on the other side.

GUDMUND.

Well, if so it be—­if this wild life no longer contents you—­ then I will give you the best counsel that ever friend gave to friend:  take to wife an honourable maiden.

KNUT.

Say you so?  And if I now told you that ’tis even that I have in mind?

GUDMUND.

Good luck and happiness to you then, Knut Gesling!  And now you must know that I too—­

KNUT.

  You?  Are you, too, so purposed?

GUDMUND.

  Aye truly.  But the King’s wrath—­I am a banished man—­

KNUT.

Nay, to that you need give but little thought.  As yet there is no one here, save Dame Margit, that knows aught of the matter; and so long as I am your friend, you have one in whom you can trust securely.  Now I must tell you—­

     [He proceeds in a whisper as they go up again.

SIGNE.

  [As she and MARGIT again advance.] But tell me then Margit—!

MARGIT.

  More I dare not tell you.

SIGNE.

Then will I be more open-hearted than you.  But first answer me one question. [Bashfully, with hesitation.] Is there no one who has told you anything concerning me?

MARGIT.

  Concerning you?  Nay, what should that be?

SIGNE.

[As before, looking downwards.] You said to me this morning:  if a wooer came riding hither—?

MARGIT.

That is true. [To herself.] Knut Gesling—­has he already—? [Eagerly to SIGNE.] Well?  What then?

SIGNE.

[Softly, but with exultation.] The wooer has come!  He has come, Margit!  I knew not then whom you meant; but now—!

MARGIT.

  And what have you answered him?

SIGNE.

Oh, how should I know? [Flinging her arms round her sister’s neck.] But the world seems to me so rich and beautiful since the moment when he told me that he held me dear.