)
SIGURD (terror-stricken). Hiordis!
HIORDIS (softly, struggling with tears and laughter). Nay, heed
me not! This was all I meant, that---- (Lays her hand on his arm.)
Sigurd, thou hast not told thy saga to the end; that proud woman
thou didst tell of--she returned thy love!
SIGURD (starts backwards). Thou?
HIORDIS (with composure). Yes, Sigurd, I have loved thee, at last
I understand it. Thou sayest I was ungentle and short of speech
towards thee; what wouldst thou have a woman do? I could not offer
thee my love, for then had I been little worthy of thee. I deemed
thee ever the noblest man of men; and then to know thee another's
husband--'twas that caused me the bitter pain, that myself I could
not understand!
SIGURD (much moved). A baleful web has the Norn woven around us
twain.
HIORDIS. The blame is thine own; bravely and firmly it becomes a
man to act. When I set that hard proof for him who should win me,
my thought was of thee;--yet could'st thou----!
SIGURD. I knew Gunnar's soul-sickness; I alone could heal it;--was
there aught for me to choose? And yet, had I known what I now know, I
scarce dare answer for myself; for great is the might of love.
HIORDIS (with animation). But now, Sigurd!--A baleful hap has held
us apart all these years; now the knot is loosed; the days to come
shall make good the past to us.
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