MARGIT.

  Then thanks be to God, who has saved us all!

     [She sinks down on a chair to the left.  Gudmund hastens
       towards the door at the back.

ANOTHER HOUSE-CARL.

  [Enters, stopping him.] You come too late.  Sir Bengt is dead.

GUDMUND.

  Too late, then, too late.

HOUSE-CARL.

The guests and your men have prevailed against the murderous crew.  Knut Gesling and his men are prisoners.  Here they come.

     [GUDMUND’s men, and a number of GUESTS and HOUSE-CARLS,
       lead in KNUT GESLING, ERIK OF HEGGE, and several of
       KNUT’s men, bound.

KNUT.

[Who is pale, says in a low voice.] Man-slayer, Gudmund.  What say you to that?

GUDMUND.

  Knut, Knut, what have you done?

ERIK.

  ’Twas a mischance, of that I can take my oath.

KNUT.

He ran at me swinging his axe; I meant but to defend myself, and struck the death-blow unawares.

ERIK.

  Many here saw all that befell.

KNUT.

  Lady Margit, crave what fine you will.  I am ready to pay it.

MARGIT.

I crave naught.  God will judge us all.  Yet stay—­one thing I require.  Forgo your evil design upon my sister.

KNUT.

Never again shall I essay to redeem my baleful pledge.  From this day onward I am a better man.  Yet would I fain escape dishonourable punishment for my deed. [To GUDMUND.] Should you be restored to favour and place again, say a good word for me to the King!

GUDMUND.

  I?  Ere the sun sets, I must have left the country.

     [Astonishment amongst the GUESTS.  ERIK in whispers, explains
       the situation.

MARGIT.

  [To GUDMUND.] You go?  And Signe with you?

SIGNE.

   [Beseechingly.] Margit!

MARGIT.

  Good fortune follow you both!

SIGNE.

  [Flinging her arms round MARGIT’s neck.] Dear sister!

GUDMUND.

Margit, I thank you.  And now farewell. [Listening.] Hush!  I hear the tramp of hoofs in the court-yard.

SIGNE.

  [Apprehensively.] Strangers have arrived.

     [A HOUSE-CARL appears in the doorway at the back.

HOUSE-CARL.