Gunnar.
Yes, Sigurd. Vengeance and hatred blind thee, else wouldst thou prize him better. Had I been like Sigurd, I could have made life glad for thee.
Hiördis.
[With strong but suppressed emotion.] That—that deemest thou Sigurd could have done?
Gunnar.
He is strong of soul, and proud as thou to boot.
Hiördis.
[Violently.] If that be so—[Collecting herself.] No matter, no matter! [With a wild outburst.] Gunnar, take Sigurd's life!
Gunnar.
Never!
Hiördis.
By fraud and falsehood thou mad'st me thy wife—that shall be forgotten! Five joyless years have I spent in this house—all shall be forgotten from the day when Sigurd lives no more!
Gunnar.
No harm shall e'er befall him from my hand. [Shrinks back involuntarily.] Hiördis, Hiördis, tempt me not!
Hiördis.
Then must I find another avenger; not long shall Sigurd mock at me and thee! [Clenching her hands in convulsive rage.] With her—that simpleton—with her mayhap he is even now sitting alone, dallying, and making sport of us;
