[_Jumps down on to the floor._] Ah; here I am at last then! NILS LYKKE. [_Aside._] What means this? NILS STENSSON. God’s peace, master! NILS LYKKE. Thanks, good Sir! Methinks you have chosen a strange way of entrance. NILS STENSSON. Ay, what the devil was I to do? The gate was shut. Folk must sleep in this house like bears at Yuletide. NILS LYKKE. God be thanked! Know you not that a good conscience is the best pillow? NILS STENSSON. Ay, it must be even so; for with all my rattling and thundering, I—— NILS LYKKE. ——You won not in? NILS STENSSON. You have hit it. So I said to myself: As you are bidden to be in Östråt to-night, if you have to go through fire and water, you may surely make free to creep through a window. NILS LYKKE. [_Aside._] Ah, if it should be——! [_Moves a step or two nearer._ Was it, then, of the last necessity that you should reach Östråt to-night? NILS STENSSON. Was it? Ay, faith but it was. I love not to keep folk waiting, I can tell you. NILS LYKKE. Aha,—then Lady Inger Gyldenlöve looks for your coming? NILS STENSSON. Lady Inger Gyldenlöve? Nay, that I can scarce say for certain; [_with a sly smile_] but there might be some one else—— NILS LYKKE. [_Smiles in answer._] Ah, so there might be some one else—? NILS STENSSON. Tell me—are you of the house? NILS LYKKE. I? Well, in so far that I am Lady Inger’s guest this evening. NILS STENSSON. A guest?—Is not to-night the third night after Martinmas? NILS LYKKE. The third night after—? Ay, right enough.—Would you seek the lady of the house at once? I think she is not yet gone to rest. But might not _you_ sit down and rest awhile, dear young Sir? See, here is yet a flagon of wine remaining, and doubtless you will find some food. Come, fall to; you will do wisely to refresh your strength. NILS STENSSON. You are right, Sir; ’twere not amiss. [_Sits down by the table and eats and drinks._