That will she. Oh, I am sure she will. My mother is kind; all the world is kind;—I can no longer feel hatred for any living soul—save _one_. NILS LYKKE. Save _one_? ELINA. Ah, ’tis a mournful history. I had a sister—— NILS LYKKE. Lucia? ELINA. Did you know Lucia? NILS LYKKE. No, no; I have but heard her name. ELINA. She too gave her heart to a knight. He betrayed her;—now she is in Heaven. NILS LYKKE. And you—— ELINA. I hate him. NILS LYKKE. Hate him not! If there be mercy in your heart, forgive him his sin. Trust me, he bears his punishment in his own breast. ELINA. Him will I never forgive! I _cannot_, even if I would; for I have sworn so dear an oath—— [_Listening._ Hush! Can you hear——? NILS LYKKE. What? Where? ELINA. Without; far off. The noise of many horsemen on the high-road. NILS LYKKE. Ah, ’tis _they_! And I had forgotten—! They are coming hither. Then is the danger great! I must begone! ELINA. But whither? Oh, Nils Lykke, what are you hiding——? NILS LYKKE. Tomorrow, Elina—; for as God lives, I will return tomorrow.—Quickly now—where is the secret passage whereof you told me? ELINA. Through the grave-vault. See,—here is the trap-door—— NILS LYKKE. The grave-vault! [_To himself._] No matter, he _must_ be saved! ELINA. [_By the window._] The horsemen have reached the gate—— [_Hands him the lantern._ NILS LYKKE. Oh, then—— [_Begins to descend._ ELINA. Go forward along the passage till you reach the coffin with the death’s-head and the black cross; it is Lucia’s—— NILS LYKKE. [_Climbs back hastily and shuts the trapdoor._] Lucia’s! Pah——! ELINA. What said you? NILS LYKKE. Nay, nothing. ’Twas the air of the graves that made me dizzy. ELINA. Hark; they are hammering at the gate!