I have told them all they need to know. LADY INGER. [_To the_ CROWD.] Ay, now, my faithful house-folk and peasants, now must ye arm you as best you can and will. That which earlier to-night I forbade you, ye have now my fullest leave to do. And here I present to you the young Count Sture, the coming ruler of Sweden—and Norway too, if God will it so. THE WHOLE CROWD. Hail to him! Hail to Count Sture! [_General excitement. The_ PEASANTS _and_ RETAINERS _choose out weapons and put on breastplates and helmets, amid great noise_. NILS LYKKE. [_Softly and uneasily._] The spirits awaking, she said? I but feigned to conjure up the devil of revolt—’twere a cursed spite if he got the upper hand of us. LADY INGER. [_To_ NILS STENSSON.] Here I give you the first earnest of our service—thirty mounted men, to follow you as a bodyguard. Trust me—ere you reach the frontier many hundreds will have ranged themselves under my banner and yours. Go, then, and God be with you! NILS STENSSON. Thanks,—Inger Gyldenlöve! Thanks—and be sure you shall never have cause to shame you for—for Count Sture! If you see me again, I shall have won my father’s kingdom. NILS LYKKE. [_To himself._] Ay, _if_ she see you again! OLAF SKAKTAVL. The horses wait, good fellows! Are ye ready——? THE PEASANTS. Ay, ay, ay! NILS LYKKE. [_Uneasily_, to LADY INGER.] What?, You mean not to-night, even now——? LADY INGER. This very moment, Sir Knight! NILS LYKKE. Nay, nay, impossible! LADY INGER. I have said it. NILS LYKKE. [_Softly, to_ NILS STENSSON.] Obey her not! NILS STENSSON. How can I do aught else? I _will_; I _must_! NILS LYKKE. But ’tis your certain ruin—— NILS STENSSON. What then! _Her_ must I obey in all things—— NILS LYKKE. [_With authority._] And _me_? NILS STENSSON. I shall keep my word; be sure of that. The secret shall not pass my lips till you yourself release me. But she is my mother! NILS LYKKE. [_Aside._] And Jens Bielke in wait on the road! Damnation! He will snatch the prize out of my fingers——