Kristrun [looks at him suspiciously.  In order to evade her glance, he bends over and takes her in his arms].

Ingolf.  I will raise you, slowly and carefully, like a cup brimful of intoxicating wine. [Kisses her a long time.  Raises her up.  They hear footsteps outside, and listen.]

Ingolf.  It is Hrafnhild. [Loosens his embrace.]

Kristrun [throws her arms around his neck, and clings to him].  Why don’t you want her to see?

Ingolf [trying to free himself].  You are not so heartless, Kristrun!

Hadda Padda [opens the door.  In her hand, she has a bouquet of violets, freshly gathered.  A subdued smile lights up her face.  As soon as she looks in, her features become distorted with horror.  She takes half a step backwards, holding her hand before her eyes, as if to ward off a blow.  A feeble cry, filled with pain, as if torn by force from the throat is expressed in the word No!]

Kristrun.  It is I you love!  It is I you love!

Ingolf [tears himself away].  Let me talk to Hrafnhild alone.

Hadda Padda stands motionless in the doorway, so that Kristrun has to pass her.

Ingolf.  May I close the door and talk to you? [Hadda Padda moves within the door frame, and leans against it.]

Ingolf.  Hadda, you have seen now that I am no longer worthy of your love.

Hadda Padda.  I have seen nothing. [Throws the bouquet on the table, and sits down on the chaise-longue, with her face turned toward the window.]

Ingolf.  Don’t say that, Hrafnhild.  Even forgiveness demands return, and I cannot return yours.

Hadda Padda [Her whole frame trembling].

Ingolf.  I didn’t think you could mistake my attitude these last few days. [Both keep silent.]

Ingolf.  But now-? from to-day on, you must try to forget me.

Hadda Padda [gets up].  Forget—? why should I forget my lover?

INGOLF.  Because he cannot be your lover any longer.

HADDA PADDA.  Yes, he can; he promised.  He promised to love me all my life.

INGOLF.  He did not know what he promised.

HADDA PADDA [sees Ingolf’s hand without the ring, grasps it with horror, whispers].  What have you done?—­Ingolf, it cannot be true.  It is not she you love.  I saw you push her from you, when she clung about your neck.  Say she told you a lie, when she cried.  Only say something—­say that suddenly an earthquake came, and she threw herself in your arms from fear.  I’ll believe you.

INGOLF [shakes his head.]

HADDA PADDA.  Ingolf, how could you be so hard? [Hides her face.]
Any other, any other.?-But she! [Weeps bitterly.]

INGOLF.  It is not that, Hrafnhild.  Now let us talk calmly.  Even if you could, would you continue to be tied to a man who does not love you any longer?