[_Softly, watching them._] Ah, take counsel together as much as ye list! All danger is over now. With her written consent in my pocket, I can denounce her whenever I please. A secret message to Jens Bielke this very night—. I tell him but the truth—that the young Count Sture is not at Östråt. And then to-morrow, when the road is open—to Trondhiem with my young friend, and thence by ship to Copenhagen with him as my prisoner. Once we have him safe in the castle-tower, we can dictate to Lady Inger what terms we will. And I—? After this, methinks, the King will scarce place the French mission in other hands than mine. LADY INGER. [_Still whispering to_ OLAF SKAKTAVL.] Well, you understand me? OLAF SKAKTAVL. Ay, fully. Let us make the venture, even as you will. [_Goes out by the back, to the right._ [NILS STENSSON _comes in by the first door on the right, unseen by_ LADY INGER, _who has begun to write._ NILS STENSSON. [_In a low voice._] Sir Knight,—Sir Knight! NILS LYKKE. [_Moves towards him._] Rash boy! What would you here? Said I not you should wait within until I called you? NILS STENSSON. How could I? Now you have told me that Inger Gyldenlöve is my mother, I thirst more than ever to see her face to face—— Oh, it is she! How proud and high her mien! Even thus did I ever picture her. Fear not, dear Sir,—I shall do nought rashly. Since I have learnt this secret, I feel, as it were, older and wiser. I will no longer be wild and heedless; I will be even as other well-born youths.—Tell me,—knows she that I am here? Surely you have prepared her? NILS LYKKE. Ay, sure enough; but—— NILS STENSSON. Well? NILS LYKKE. ——She will not own you for her son. NILS STENSSON. Will not own me? But she is my mother.—Oh, if it be that she doubts _that_—[_takes out a ring which he wears on a cord round his neck_]—show her this ring. I have worn it since my earliest childhood; she must surely know its history. NILS LYKKE. Hide the ring, man! Hide it, I say!