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. Now let us talk calmly. Even if
you could, would you continue to be tied to a man who does not
love you any longer?

HADDA PADDA. She has separated us. _She_ has caught you in the net
of her wantonness. You, too, Ingolf, you, too. ... When I looked