With your leave, Lady Inger Gyldenlöve—on that matter we should scarce agree; for you count as nothing what _I_ lost by that same unhappy chance. I purposed nought but in honour. I was tired of my unbridled life; my thirtieth year was already past; I longed to mate me with a good and gentle wife. Add to all this the hope of becoming your son-in-law—— LADY INGER. Beware, Sir Councillor! I have done all in my power to hide my child’s unhappy fate. But because it is out of sight, think not it is out of mind. There may yet come a time—— NILS LYKKE. You threaten me, Lady Inger? I have offered you my hand in amity; you refuse to take it. Henceforth, then, it is to be open war between us? LADY INGER. I knew not there had ever been aught else? NILS LYKKE. Not on _your_ side, mayhap. _I_ have never been your enemy,—though, as a subject of the King of Denmark, I lacked not good cause. LADY INGER. I understand you. I have not been pliant enough. It has not proved so easy as some of you hoped to lure me over into your camp.—Yet methinks you have nought to complain of. My daughter Merete’s husband is your countryman—further I cannot go. My position is no easy one, Nils Lykke! NILS LYKKE. That I can well believe. Both nobles and people here in Norway think they have an ancient claim on you—a claim, ’tis said, you have but half fulfilled. LADY INGER. Your pardon, Sir Councillor,—I account for my doings to none but God and myself. If it please you, then, let me understand what brings you hither. NILS LYKKE. Gladly, Lady Inger! The purpose of my mission to this country can scarce be unknown to you——? LADY INGER. I know the mission that report assigns you. Our King would fain know how the Norwegian nobles stand affected towards him. NILS LYKKE. Assuredly. LADY INGER. Then that is why you visit Östråt? NILS LYKKE. In part. But it is far from my purpose to demand any profession of loyalty from you—— LADY INGER. What then? NILS LYKKE.