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_ SECOND ACT SCENE X
[The Preceding. ALFHILD comes unnoticed out of the storehouse in glittering bridal dress with a crown on her head and her hair flowing.]
ARNE.
[Aside.] This has been a cursed day for me! O, he is a cunning dog, this Hemming! He knew that Ingeborg had a fancy for him; it was therefore so galling to him that Olaf should have her.
LADY KIRSTEN.
[Who has in the meantime regained her composure.] And now to the festive hall! Hemming we can think of later.--Olaf, take your bride by the hand!
ARNE.
[Reluctantly, as he sees INGEBORG whisper to HEMMING.]
Where is the bride? Come, come!
ALFHILD AND INGEBORG.
[At the same time, as they each seize one of OLAF's hands.]
Here I am!
THE GUESTS.
How,--she takes Olaf?
[General amazement.]
LADY KIRSTEN.
[Aside.]
So far has he gone, then!
LADY KIRSTEN.
[Aloud, to ALFHILD.]
You are mistaken! That is not your bridegroom!
ALFHILD.
Why, certainly, it is Olaf!
INGEBORG.
[Lets go his hand.]
If then he has promised her--!
LADY KIRSTEN.
[In great agitation.]
Olaf is not your bridegroom, I say! Tell her it yourself, my son!
[OLAF is silent. LADY KIRSTEN's Kinsmen look at each other embarrassed. ARNE's Relatives draw nearer, angry and threatening.]
LADY KIRSTEN.
[With raised voice.]
Olaf Liljekrans! Answer loudly and clearly! You owe it to yourself and to us.
OLAF.
[In despair, struggling with himself.]
Let it be as you wish then, mother! Yes, by all the saints! I shall answer. Alfhild! you are mistaken! I am not your bridegroom.
OLAF.
[Pointing to INGEBORG.]
There--there stands my bride!
ALFHILD.
[Withdraws a step or two dumfounded and stares at him.]
She--your--
OLAF.
[With rising irritation.]
Alfhild! go hence! Go, go, far into the mountain again; 'twill be best for you. I was sick and bewildered in mind when I wandered up there! What I have told you I little remember! I do not know and I do not want to know! Do you hear,--I do not want to!--The golden crown you can keep! Keep all, both the silver and gold, that you there stand dressed in. More,--yea, tenfold more you shall have.--Well! why do you stare at me so?
[ALFHILD takes off the crown and the other adornments and places them at OLAF's feet as she continues uninterruptedly to stare at him.]
OLAF.
Perhaps I pretended to you that you were to be my bride tonight, perhaps you believed me! Perhaps you thought that Olaf Liljekrans would marry a--a--what was it you called her?
OLAF.
[Stamps with his foot.]
Do not stare at me so, I say! I know you well enough; you have bewitched me. I forgot my family; I forgot my bride, my betrothed, she who stands there.
OLAF.
[Seizes ALFHILD violently by the arm.]
Look at her, Alfhild! Aha, it is she that I love!
[ALFHILD sinks down on her knees and covers her face with her hands.]
OLAF.
Rise, Alfhild! rise, I say! If you dare to grieve in this way, I shall kill you!--Why are you not happy? Be merry and wild as I am!--And the rest of you! Why do you stand so silently, looking at one another? Laugh,--laugh loudly, so that it may echo around!--Alfhild! Why don't you answer? Have I not told you enough! Aha! Then add, you others, a word to what I have said! Come, say something, you too; Lady Kirsten would like it! Laugh at her, mock her, trample her under your feet!
OLAF.
[With ringing laughter.]
Ha, ha, ha! She is Olaf's darling!
[ALFHILD sinks down to the ground in such a way that she rests prostrate against the stone bench at the left. A flash of lightning illuminates the scene and the thunder rolls; during the following to the close of the act the darkness and the storm increase.]
OLAF.
See, see! That I like; now do the powers above join in! Right now will I ride to the church with my bride! Come, Mistress Ingeborg! But first will we drink,--yes, drink, drink! Bring here the beaker and horn,--not in there--! Light the candles in the church! Let the organ resound; prepare for a dance--not mournful psalms--fie, fie, no, a dance!
[Thunder and lightning.]
OLAF.
Ah, it is rumored in heaven that Olaf Liljekrans is celebrating his wedding!
[Rushes out to the right.]
ARNE.
Christ save me! his reason is gone!
LADY KIRSTEN.
Ah, have no fear; it will soon pass,--I know him.
[Draws ARNE aside with her.]
ARNE.
[Gently threatening HEMMING in passing.]
O, Hemming, Hemming! You are a sly dog!
[The GUESTS go quietly and gloomily out to the right; the SERVANTS to the left.]
INGEBORG.
[Detains HEMMING.]
Hemming! I will not go to church with Olaf Liljekrans!
HEMMING.
Alas, what will prevent it?
INGEBORG.
If it comes to that, I shall say no,--no before the very altar itself, in the presence of all!
HEMMING.
Ingeborg!
INGEBORG.
Hold my horse saddled and ready!
HEMMING.
What! You will--!
INGEBORG.
I will! Now I know for the first time how dear you are to me,--now when I stand in danger of losing you. Go,--do as I say, and let me know when it is time.
[She goes out to the right.]
HEMMING.
Yes, now am I strong; now I dare venture whatever it be!
[He goes out to the left.] _
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