Act Fifth - Page 2

(after a short pause). Will you come nevermore to Ostrat?

NILS LYKKE. How can you doubt that I will come? Are you not henceforth my betrothed?--But will you be true to me, Elina? Will you not forget me ere we meet again?

ELINA. Do you ask if I will be true? Have I any will left then? Have I power to be untrue to you, even if I would?--you came by night; you knocked upon my door;--and I opened to you. You spoke to me. What was it you said? You gazed in my eyes. What was the mystic might that turned my brain and lured me, as it were, within a magic net? (Hides her face on his shoulder.) Oh, look not on me, Nils Lykke! You must not look upon me after this---- True, say you ? Do you not own me? I am yours;--I must be yours--to all eternity.

NILS LYKKE. Now, by my knightly honour, ere the year be past, you shall sit as my wife in the hall of my fathers.

ELINA. No vows, Nils Lykke! No oaths to me.

NILS LYKKE. What mean you? Why do you shake your head so mournfully?

ELINA. Because I know that the same soft words wherewith you turned my brain, you have whispered to so many a one before. Nay, nay, be not angry, my beloved! In nought do I reproach you, as I did while yet I knew you not. Now I understand how high above all others is your goal. How can love be aught to you but a pastime, or woman but a toy?

NILS LYKKE. Elina,--hear me!

ELINA. As I grew up, your name was ever in my ears. I hated the name, for meseemed that all women were dishonoured by your life. And yet,--how strange!--when I built up in my dreams the life that should be mine, you were ever my hero, though I knew it not. Now I understand it all--now know I what it was I felt. It was a foreboding, a mysterious longing for you, you only one-- for you that were one day to come and glorify my life.

NILS LYKKE (aside, putting down the lantern on the table). How is it with me? This dizzy fascination---- If this it be to love, then have I never known it till this hour.--Is there not yet time ----? Oh horror--Lucia!

(Sinks into a chair.)

ELINA. What ails you? So heavy a sigh----

NILS LYKKE. O, 'tis nought,--nought! Elina,--now will I confess all to you. I have have beguiled many with both words and glances; I have said to many a one what I whispered to you this night. But trust me----

ELINA. Hush! No more of that. My love is no exchange for that you give me. No, no; I love you because your every glance commands it like a king's decree.

(Lies down at his feet.)

Oh, let me once more stamp that kingly message deep into my soul, though well I know it stands imprinted there for all time and eternity.

Dear God--how little I have known myself! 'Twas but to-night I said to my mother: "My pride is my life." And what is my pride? Is it to know that my countrymen are free, or that my house is held in honour throughout the