[_Advancing a step towards them._] Who dares to move? [_A silence. After a moment’s pause, she adds:_ I have thought for you. What do you common folk know of the country’s needs? How dare you judge of such things? You must e’en bear your oppressions and burdens yet awhile. Why murmur at that, when you see that we, your leaders, are as ill bested as you?——Take all the weapons back to the hall. You shall know my further will hereafter. Go! [_The_ RETAINERS _take back the arms, and the whole crowd then withdraws by the door on the right._ ELINA. [_Softly to_ BIÖRN.] Say you still that I have sinned in misjudging—the Lady of Östråt? LADY INGER. [_Beckons to_ BIÖRN, _and says_.] Have a guest-chamber ready. BIÖRN. It is well, Lady Inger! LADY INGER. And let the gate be open to whoever shall knock. BIÖRN. But——? LADY INGER. The gate open! BIÖRN. The gate open. [_Goes out to the right._ LADY INGER. [_To_ ELINA, _who has already reached the door on the left._] Stay here!——Elina—my child—I have something to say to you alone. ELINA. I hear you. LADY INGER. Elina——you think evil of your mother. ELINA. I think, to my sorrow, what your deeds have forced me to think. LADY INGER. And you answer as your bitter spirit bids you. ELINA. Who has filled my spirit with bitterness? From my childhood I had been wont to look up to you as a great and high-souled woman. ’Twas in your likeness that I pictured the women of the chronicles and the Book of Heroes. I thought the Lord God himself had set his seal on your brow, and marked you out as the leader of the helpless and the oppressed. Knights and nobles sang your praise in the feast-hall; and even the peasants, far and near, called you the country’s pillar and its hope. All thought that through you the good times were to come again! All thought that through you a new day was to dawn over the land! The night is still here; and I scarce know if through you I dare look for any morning. LADY INGER.