Sigurd.
[Appalled.] Hiördis!
Hiördis.
[Softly, struggling with tears and laughter.] Nay, heed me not! I meant but this, that[Lays her hand on his arm.] Sigurd, thou hast not told thy saga to the end; that proud woman thou didst tell of—she returned thy love!
Sigurd.
[Starts backwards.] Thou?
Hiördis.
[With composure.] Aye, Sigurd, I have loved thee, at last I understand it. Thou sayest I was ungentle and short of speech towards thee; what wouldst thou have a woman do? Could I offer thee my love? Then had I been little worthy of thee. I deemed thee ever the noblest man of men; and then to know thee another's husband—'twas that caused me the bitter pain, that myself I could not understand!
Sigurd.
[Much moved.] A baleful web has the Norn woven around us twain.
Hiördis.
The blame is thine own; bravely and firmly it becomes a man to act. When I set that hard proof for him who should win me, my thought was all of thee;—yet couldst thou!
Sigurd.
I knew Gunnar's soul-sickness; I alone could
