Ay, it sounds but ill in your ears, I know; yet hear it you must, for all that. In brief, then: I come from Sweden: troubles are brewing: the Dales are ready to rise. LADY INGER. I know it. OLAF SKAKTAVL. Peter Kanzler[19] is with us—secretly, you understand. LADY INGER. [_Starting._] Peter Kanzler? OLAF SKAKTAVL. ’Tis he that has sent me to Östråt. LADY INGER. [_Rises._] Peter Kanzler, say you? OLAF SKAKTAVL. He himself;—but mayhap you no longer know him? LADY INGER. [_Half to herself._] Only too well!—But tell me, I pray you,—what message do you bring? OLAF SKAKTAVL. When the rumour of the rising reached the border mountains, where I then was, I set off at once into Sweden. ’Twas not hard to guess that Peter Kanzler had a finger in the game. I sought him out and offered to stand by him;—he knew me of old, as you know, and knew that he could trust me; so he has sent me hither. LADY INGER. [_Impatiently._] Yes yes,—he sent you hither to——? OLAF SKAKTAVL. [_With secrecy._] Lady Inger—a stranger comes to Östråt to-night. LADY INGER. [_Surprised._] What? Know you that——? OLAF SKAKTAVL. Assuredly I know it. I know all. ’Twas to meet him that Peter Kanzler sent me hither. LADY INGER. To meet him? Impossible, Olaf Skaktavl,—impossible! OLAF SKAKTAVL. ’Tis as I tell you. If he be not already come, he will soon—— LADY INGER. Doubtless, doubtless; but—— OLAF SKAKTAVL. Then you knew of his coming? LADY INGER. Ay, surely. He sent me a message. ’Twas therefore they opened to you as soon as you knocked. OLAF SKAKTAVL. [_Listens._] Hush!—some one is riding along the road. [_Goes to the window._] They are opening the gate. LADY INGER. [_Looks out._] It is a knight and his attendant. They are dismounting in the courtyard. OLAF SKAKTAVL. ’Tis he then. His name? LADY INGER. You know not his name? OLAF SKAKTAVL.