Maid.
God save us, my lady, have you left your bed?
Margit.
I am well. Go you and sleep. Stay—tell me, are the guests all gone?
Maid.
No, not all; some wait till later in the day; ere now they are sleeping sound.
Margit.
And Gudmund Alfson—?
Maid.
He, too, is doubtless asleep. [Points to the right.] 'Tis some time since he went to his chamber—yonder, across the passage.
Margit.
Good; you may go.
[The Maid goes out to the left.
[Margit walks slowly across the hall, seats herself by the table on the right, and gazes out at the open window.
Margit.
To-morrow, then, Gudmund will ride away
Out into the world so great and wide.
Alone with my husband here I must stay;
And well do I know what will then betide.
Like the broken branch and the trampled flower
I shall suffer and fade from hour to hour.
