INGOLF.  Hrafnhild is proud by nature.  She would never let it be seen that an unfortunate love affair could make her miserable.

KRISTRUN.  Yes, SHE is proud by nature, she is everything fine.—­ And I—­I am nothing. [Tears in her eyes.]

INGOLF.  You are the loveliest woman in the world. [Embraces her.]

HADDA PADDA [appears between the bushes, seeing them she stops an instant, then goes toward them].  I didn’t know you were here.

INGOLF [gets up].  We have just come from the falls.

HADDA PADDA.  And I was just gathering berries.  Aren’t my lips blue? ...  Why are you so silent, Runa, dear?

KRISTRUN [does not answer].

HADDA PADDA [in a changed voice].  I am going away to-morrow.

INGOLF.  Going away to-morrow?

KRISTRUN.  Going away—?

HADDA PADDA.  I leave to-morrow.  I’m going with Helga.—­Let us part friends.—­I have only one thing to say to you before I go.

INGOLF.  What is that?

HADDA PADDA.  You may feel safe now.  I won’t be the shadow in your sunny path. ...  I don’t love you any longer, Ingolf. [Ingolf and Kristrun look at her amazed.]

HADDA PADDA.  Nor do I bear you a grudge ... that is why I can tell you this.

INGOLF.  I always knew you were high-minded, Hrafnhild, but—­

HADDA PADDA.  And Runa, dear, won’t we be the same friendly sisters we have always been? [Strokes her hair.] Do you want to see that I love you as much as ever? [Takes her hand.] Come, let me take you in my arms.

KRISTRUN [bursting into tears, she throws herself into Hadda’s arms].  Hadda, dear—­

HADDA PADDA [presses Kristrun violently to her breast].

KRISTRUN [throwing her head back].  Hadda, Hadda, you are hurting me!

HADDA PADDA [lets go of her—­turns to Ingolf].  And now I would like to speak to you for a moment.  May I?

INGOLF.  Yes, certainly.

HADDA PADDA, Oh, there’s Helga.  She is looking for me, Runa, dear, may I say a few words to Ingolf?  You meet Helga, and start for home with her, won’t you?

KRISTRUN.  I’ll do that, Hadda. [Hurries away.]

HADDA PADDA [sits down].  I think I have discovered that you don’t really enjoy your new happiness.  That is why I want to talk to you.

INGOLF.  You have told me all I want to hear.

HADDA PADDA [involuntarily frowning a moment].  It is strange how proud the imagination can be, pretending to be a strong reality.  If I had really loved you at all, I would still.  I do not.  So long as you were free, I made myself believe I had a certain claim to you.  But once you were engaged to any one else, the same thing would have happened?—­I should have forgotten you in a week.

INGOLF.  You need not tell me this, I know it.

HADDA PADDA.  What do you know?

INGOLF.  I know that you deny your own heart for the sake of others.