Marie.—The cold chill crept over me while she was speaking. O Tomeš, I hurried so, to give you warning in time!

Tomeš.—Thank you, my Marie. But no one has seen me.

Marie.—But they are at your very heels,—and if they were to catch you,—Tomeš, you know the Count does not threaten in vain!

Tomeš.—Have no fear for me. I will go directly home. Nobody must say a word to me. And you go at once to your cottage so they will not suspect us! (He slips cautiously around the castle. Marie loses herself among the trees. Lída steps out from the direction of the castle.)

Lída (Half aloud to herself).—As though it were my fate,—I cannot give up the idea; I must follow him up! (Aloud wildly and painfully) And if I see him embrace her again, (with desperation) then Heaven shield them and help me! (Slips around the castle.)

(From the forest emerges Beauvalle with the game warden who has his gun over his shoulder while he carries the weapon of the Count in his hand.)

Beauvalle, game warden, then the Countess with Dejm, later Millesimo.

Beauvalle (Shortly).—He has escaped! Disappeared! We looked for him in vain. I will punish every one responsible for guarding my forest! (The Countess steps out from the castle with Dejm, with whom she is talking. Hearing Beauvalle, she stops to listen. Beauvalle to the game warden.) Go into the forest, find my park keeper. Tell him if he does not find that poacher he does not need to report for service again. (Havelka disappears into the forest.)

Countess (to Dejm).—Thank heaven, the poacher is not caught! (Goes with Dejm to Beauvalle, offering him both outstretched hands.) Why so violent, Count! I am delighted that you have so quickly returned!

Beauvalle.—I went through the forest, and searched carefully everywhere. Those accursed poachers are now so bold that they dare shoot at my very castle gates, and I can’t catch even one of them! (From the castle comes Millesimo.)

Millesimo (Laughing).—Count Beauvalle, Count Dejm, the Countess, lovely, gracious countess!