Ye saints, if she should—? Lest worse befall, ’Tis time indeed I told her all! [_Aloud._ Do you wish for my happiness—Margit, tell! MARGIT. [_In joyful agitation._] Wish for it! I! GUDMUND. Then, wot you well, The joy of my life now rests with you— MARGIT. [_With an outburst._] Gudmund! GUDMUND. Listen! ’tis time you knew— [_He stops suddenly._ [_Voices and laughter are heard by the river bank._ SIGNË _and some other_ GIRLS _enter from the right, accompanied by_ KNUT, ERIK _and several_ YOUNGER MEN. KNUT. [_Still at a distance._] Gudmund Alfson! Wait; I must speak a word with you. [_He stops, talking to_ ERIK. _The other_ GUESTS _in the meantime enter the house._ MARGIT. [_To herself._] The joy of his life—! What else can he mean but—! [_Half aloud._] Signë—my dear, dear sister! [_She puts her arm round SIGNË’S waist, and they go towards the back talking to each other._ GUDMUND. [_Softly, as he follows them with his eyes._] Aye, so it were wisest. Both Signë and I must away from Solhoug. Knut Gesling has shown himself my friend; he will help me. KNUT. [_Softly, to_ ERIK.] Yes, yes, I say, Gudmund is her kinsman; he can best plead my cause. ERIK. Well, as you will. [_He goes into the house._ KNUT. [_Approaching._] Listen, Gudmund— GUDMUND. [_Smiling._] Come you to tell me that you dare no longer let me go free. KNUT. Dare! Be at your ease as to that. Knut Gesling dares whatever he will. No, ’tis another matter. You know that here in the district, I am held to be a wild, unruly companion— GUDMUND. Aye, and if rumour lies not— KNUT. Why no, much that it reports may be true enough. But now, I must tell you— [_They go, conversing, up towards the back._ SIGNË. [_To_ MARGIT, _as they come forward beside the house._] I understand you not. You speak as though an unlooked-for happiness had befallen you. What is in your mind? MARGIT.