Christine. Now I am able to answer you with a frank "yes," for I
know my own will--and I can do so without asking father first,
for I am free. Oh, I am free!

Olof. And do you know what is in store for you?

Christine. I know! You will not have to shatter my mocking dreams
--they are already gone. But you may be sure that I, too,
have been dreaming of a knight who was to lay a kingdom at my
feet and talk to me of flowers and love--Olof, I want to be your
wife! Here is my hand! But this much I must tell you: that you
never have been the knight of my dreams, and that I thank God he
never came. For then he had also gone--as a dream.

Olof. Christine, you want to be mine--and I will make you happy.
For when I suffered sorrow and temptation, you were always in my
mind--and now you shall be at my side! You were the maiden of my
dreams, kept captive in a tower by the stern castellan--and now
you are mine!

Christine. Beware of dreams, Olof!

(Blows are heard on the door from outside.)

Olof. Who is that?

Voice (outside). Gert.

Olof. What will he say? My promise--