THORGJERD. Then I should never be done!

THORGJERD. [Mischievously.] Elves and sprites hold sway here.

Be you of good cheer! If you find him not he is at play with the elves; they are fond of all who love little birds, and Olaf, you said.... Go home,--go home again. Olaf is up in the mountain; he suffers no want.

LADY KIRSTEN. Curse you for saying such things!

ARNE. [To LADY KIRSTEN.] Do not heed what he says.

THORGJERD. [Approaches again.] I go hence now to tune my harp; Olaf Liljekrans is up in the mountain,--there shall his wedding be held.--Mad Thorgjerd must also be there; he can make tables and benches dance, so stirring is the music he plays. But you, take you heed; go you home again; it is not safe for you here.

Have you not heard the old saying: Beware of the elves when they frolic around, They may draw you into their play; And all that you see and all that you hear Will stay with your mind alway.

THORGJERD. [Suddenly breaking out with wild joy.] But here there are wedding guests,--ah! Each lady has on her very best gown, each man his very best coat,--now I see. Olaf Liljekrans is likewise a groom in the village,--there also he has a betrothed! Well, you have heard of such things before! I know that at any rate once, --it is years ago--but well I remember....

THORGJERD. [He continues after a moment's pause, more and more wildly.]

Sir Alvar and Ingrid had plighted their troth, She was a sprightly maiden; Three blessed long days they feasted and sang, With jolly good wine they were laden.

The bride was fair and the bride was gay, The dance of the guests she led, When in came the nixie, the evil wight, And sat on the edge of the bed.

Like a fiddler he sat on the edge of the bed, And music bewitchingly played.

Around danced the benches and tables and all, As lightly as servant and maid!-- The nixie he went through the open door,-- The truth it boots not to hide!-- And while he played on the harpstrings sweet, There followed him ever--the bride!

THORGJERD. [Wildly, triumphantly.]

Fast in a spell lay knight and page, The groom knew not whither to go, The nixie made ready the bridal bed, Little Ingrid's bed in the river below.

THORGJERD. [Suddenly becomes quiet and says softly.] That song I shall never forget!--But go you home, night is coming on, and when the sun is down the forest belongs to the others. Farewell!

I shall take greetings to Olaf where he sits--in the mountain!

[Goes out to the left.]

SCENE VI

[The Preceding except THORGJERD.]

ARNE. [To LADY KIRSTEN.] He lies! Do not believe him!

HEMMING. But it is nevertheless true,--the tale of the bride who disappeared on the eve of her wedding.

ARNE. Aye, that was many years ago; nowadays such things never happen. But we'll all help to find him.

INGEBORG. It was not sung at my cradle that I should run about in forest and field to find my bridegroom.

ARNE. Be still!

INGEBORG. If he is enthralled in the mountain, then let her take him who has done it; I don't propose to share my betrothed's heart and soul.

HEMMING. [Softly and feelingly.] The Lord bless you for those words!

INGEBORG. [With a haughty look of dismissal.] What?

ARNE. Will you be silent, I say!

ARNE. [To the Guests.] Now quick, my good men! Spread out and search for him on every ridge and in every hillock! Away! Quite so! Tomorrow we drink to the wedding!

[The Guests and LADY KIRSTEN's People go out in different groups to the right and the left.]

ARNE. [Softly, to LADY KIRSTEN.] We must find him! It would cause me eternal shame if the wedding--

LADY KIRSTEN. Come, then, come!

INGEBORG. [Softly, to HEMMING, who stands downcast.] Why do you not go with the rest? Better it were that you brought me again my betrothed than stand here thus and bless me for words I really don't mean.

ARNE. [At the exit.] Come, come!

INGEBORG. [To HEMMING, who starts to go.] Wait, Hemming!

Fasten my shoe buckle!

[LADY KIRSTEN and ARNE go out to the left.]

SCENE VII

[INGEBORG. HEMMING.]

INGEBORG. [Puts her foot forward.] See there,--fasten it tight!

[HEMMING kneels and does her bidding.]

INGEBORG. [As she puts the other foot forward.] There,--buckle this one too! Well, why do you bow your head? Has something gone wrong?

HEMMING. Do you demand that I shall speak honestly?

INGEBORG. Certainly I do.

HEMMING. Well, then you must know--

INGEBORG. [Quickly.] O no, it isn't necessary.

[She moves away a few steps; HEMMING rises.]

HEMMING. Alas, Lady Ingeborg! Once you were so kind to me; but now since you have become a real grown-up lady--and especially, I imagine, since you gave your betrothal vow--

INGEBORG. What then?