]
INGOLF. Don't say that, Hrafnhild. Even forgiveness demands
return, and I cannot return yours.
HADDA PADDA [_Her whole frame trembling_].
INGOLF. I didn't think you could mistake my attitude these last
few days. [_Both keep silent._]
INGOLF. But now-? from to-day on, you must try to forget me.
HADDA PADDA [_gets up_]. Forget--? why should I forget my lover?
INGOLF. Because he cannot be your lover any longer.
HADDA PADDA. Yes, he _can_; he promised. He promised to love me
all my life.
INGOLF. He did not know what he promised.
HADDA PADDA [_sees Ingolf's hand without the ring, grasps it with
horror, whispers_]. What have you done?--Ingolf, it cannot be
true. It is not she you love. I saw you push her from you, when
she clung about your neck. Say she told you a lie, when she cried.
Only say something--say that suddenly an earthquake came, and she
threw herself in your arms from fear. I'll believe you.
INGOLF [_shakes his head._]
HADDA PADDA. Ingolf, how could you be so hard? [_Hides her face._]
Any other, any other.?-But _she!_ [_Weeps bitterly._]
INGOLF. It is not that, Hrafnhild.
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