Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 1).pdf/148

 know that great things were preparing. He bade me set out for Norway and fare to Östråt, where I must be on a certain fixed day

[Nods.] The third night after Martinmas.

There I was to meet a stranger

Ay, right; I am he.

From him I should learn what more I had to do. Moreover, I was to let him know that the Count was dead of a sudden, but that as yet 'twas known to no one save to his mother the Countess, together with Peter Kanzler and a few old servants of the Stures.

I understand. The Count was the peasants' rallying-point. Were the tidings of his death to spread, they would fall asunder,—and 'twould all come to nought.

Ay, maybe so; I know little of such matters.

But how came you to give yourself out for the Count?