_Helga_.--You do well to take a part of the domestic work off my shoulders.
_Salvor_.--You have been very kind to me, Lady Helga.
_Helga_.--To-morrow early I need breakfast for five hundred men.
_Helga_.--To-morrow the chieftains are to do battle; have you bandages enough, ready? A good physician is worth half an army.
_Salvor_.--There will not be any want of bandages. (_She embraces_ HELGA, _half weeping_.) Let the chieftains make peace, lady!
_Helga_.--That would amount to humbling my husband! (_Seats herself on her chair on the dais_.) Bishop Botolf has promised to sit with us in the hall here to-night; have two tapers, large and thick, placed on the table in front of the high seat.
(EINAR THE RICH _enters hurriedly and runs up on the dais. He lays his head on the knees of_ LADY HELGA. SALVOR _shrieks in fright_.)
_Einar_.--I am bringing you my head, lady!
_Helga_.--Why shriek so, Salvor?--Who are you?
_Helga_.--Good is your gift, and I shall gladly accept it! Salvor! Ask Asbjorn Illugason to come here. I desire that he shall behead Einar the Rich. (_Exit_ SALVOR.)
_Einar_ (_quickly takes_ THOROLF'S _ring from his arm_).--Spare my life; for God's sake, mercy, mercy, mercy!
_Helga_.--You shall obtain the same mercy as did Thorolf Bjarnason!
_Helga_ (_attentively looking at the ring_).--That ring I know; did you steal it from the body of Thorolf?
_Einar_.--Steal? As rich a man as I am? No, Thorolf bade me give you this ring, lady, with this message----
_Helga_ (_approaching him, eagerly_).--What message? What message? Was that just before he was slain?
_Helga_.--And the message? Are you tongue-tied?
_Einar_.--That I should be spared, life and limb, although I had been among his assailants.
_Helga_.--Did Thorolf mention any others to be spared beside you?
_Helga_.--The ring is the right sign. If Thorolf has forgiven you, why should I not do likewise? (_Leads him out_.) Wait here in that corner; I shall spare you.
_Asbjorn_ (_comes in hurriedly_).--Are you in danger, lady?
_Helga_.--No. A man's life was given me which I did not wish to take, though.
_Asbjorn_.--I feared it might be some attack by Broddi and his men.
_Helga_.--Broddi will soon become peacefully inclined. (_Enter_ KOLBEIN THE YOUNG, BISHOP BOTOLF _in his pontifical robes_, HAF, _and_ SALVOR, _bearing two big, stout tapers which are lit. The hall becomes half filled with armed men_.)