[Throws garland in
fire. She watches it burn in a thoughtful mood. When it is quite
burnt she breaks into tears again and falls on her knees.] God!
God! Soften my proud spirit! Oh, that he should leave me! [Hastens
to door. At same moment Valgerd enters, passes Gunloed, and goes to
fire.]
VALGERD. Why did you not tend the fire?
GUNLOED. [Silent.]
VALGERD [Putting her hand against Gunloed's heart]. You have a
secret!
GUNLOED. Yes, mother, yes.
VALGERD. Hide it well.
GUNLOED. Oh, I must speak--I can't bear it any longer.
VALGERD. When saw you a mother who did not know a daughter's
secrets?
GUNLOED. Who told you mine?
VALGERD [Harshly]. Dry your tears.
[A pause.]
GUNLOED. Oh, let me go out--on the mountains--on the strand. It is
so stifling here.
VALGERD. Go up to the loft--and you can be alone. [Enter a thrall.]
What would you?
THRALL. The Erl's trumpets are heard beyond the rocks and the storm
is growing.
VALGERD. Has darkness fallen?
THRALL. Yes, and a terrible darkness it is.
[A pause.]
GUNLOED. Send out a boat--two--as many as can be found.
THRALL. All the boats are out for the hunt.
GUNLOED. Light beacon fires.
THRALL. All the fuel is so rain-soaked that we haven't had so much
as a twig on the hearth all the evening.
VALGERD. Away!
THRALL. How will it go with the Erl?
VALGERD. Does that concern you?
[Thrall goes.]
GUNLOED. You have not forgotten your wrong!
VALGERD. Nor my revenge! One should not lay hands on the daughter
of an Erl!
GUNLOED.
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