Beauvalle.—You arouse my curiosity. I must know at once. (To Millesimo.) Pardon, Count, but I shall yet be delayed a few minutes.

Millesimo.—Aj, one will never get away, waiting upon you. (Laughing) And you forget that for three whole hours I have not eaten.

Beauvalle.—If you wish to go, the magistrate will conduct you to the castle,—at the very latest, I will leave in a half hour.

Dejm (Giving the servant his wrap).—Go also up to the castle.

Millesimo.—The Countess will be overcome with surprise, quite overcome,—but I will entertain her royally,—I will give her a detailed account of my flight from Prague. That will please her, no doubt. (Leaves with the servant and the magistrate.)

Beauvalle (After the departing Millesimo).—Eternally childish. Whatever may occur, one can never depend upon his counsel or judgment. But what is up now, my dear Dejm,—what news do you bring me?

Dejm (Seriously).—Concerning the entire country, Count, and most of all it concerns us, our order, whose representatives we happen to be. The game for the possession of our country has now been played for several centuries. Do you know that the throne of Bohemia will soon undergo a change?

Beauvalle (Overcome, but calm).—What an idea! I know however that the hordes of the enemy are pouring into Austria to divide the country and tear it into pieces! But they will not accomplish their aim!

Dejm.—Prepare yourself, Count, for the fact that your supposition is unsafe. Look at everything clearly; ask yourself if it is possible for the ship of state to survive the stormy waves which seem to be tearing its timbers asunder.

Beauvalle.—It is surely in great danger, but I still have hope that the country will survive this storm.

Dejm.—You might have been justified in your faith at the beginning; we have arrived at another hour. Where can the power of the queen reach,—weak, torn by dissensions,—against such