Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/137

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
ACT III.]
LADY INGER OF ÖSTRAT.
89

Nils Lykke.

Much more. The sea lies between you and Denmark.

Elina.

[To herself.] The sea? Thought has seagulls' wings. The sea cannot stay it.

[Goes out to the left.

Nils Lykke.

[Looks after her awhile; then says:] If I could but spare two days now—or even one—I would have her in my power, even as the others. And yet is there rare stuff in this maiden. She is proud. Might I not after all——? No; rather humble her——

[Paces the room.

Verily, I believe she has set my blood afire. Who would have thought it possible after all these years?—Enough of this! I must get out of the tangle I have here thrust myself into.

[Sits in a chair on the right.

What is the meaning of it? Both Olaf Skaktavl and Inger Gyldenlöve seem blind to the mistrust 'twill waken, when 'tis rumoured that I am in their league.—Or can Lady Inger have seen through my purpose? Can she have seen that all my promises were but designed to lure Nils Sture forth from his hiding-place?

[Springs up.

Damnation! Is it I that have been fooled? 'Tis like enough that Count Sture is not at Östråt at all. It may be the rumour of his flight was but