Schirnding (Gazes at the cliffs).—Difficult to advance here! (Stamps his foot with disappointment) I would give a hundred florins were that criminal in our hands, or shot!

Beauvalle.—Believe me, captain, I would add another hundred gladly.

Schirnding.—I believe you. It would be greatly to your advantage if this uprising could be quickly crushed! If the Empress is victorious, it is hard to tell what will be the result of your hasty decision!

Beauvalle (Quickly).—I will do anything you say. But if you now wish unnecessarily to look at the road to their camp, I must send at least the game warden and a number of soldiers. I have sent for them (Looks to the right) They are here now.

(From the left appear Havelka, park keeper and a troop of soldiers. All are armed, ready to fire. Soldiers form a chain, looking up at the cliffs and the frowning forest.)

Schirnding.—Well, do not give yourself any great concern about me. (Goes to the soldiers to give instructions.)

Beauvalle (To Havelka).—Is the Countess in the cottage?

Havelka.—She was gracious enough to come after my daughter.

Beauvalle.—She did not know the troops are here. (To Schirnding.) I will step over to the game warden’s cottage for the Countess. We will await you at the castle.

(Soldiers, Schirnding, Havelka, and park keeper to toward the cliffs. Beauvalle wishes to pass by the tree with the cross to the cottage. He sees Lída advancing toward him. She has all the time been looking intently at him while she meditated.)

Lída (With burning eyes).-Noble Count!

Beauvalle (Astonished).—And who are you?

Lída.—That I cannot tell you; I am not who I used to be.

Beauvalle.—You are Lída, the daughter of old Vrána! And your father also is in the camp of the enemy!

Lída.—Perhaps he is. And if I could handle a rifle and were not Lída, perhaps I also would be there.

Beauvalle (Suspiciously).—You are a spy!

Lída.—I wish to become a spy for your cause,—but only if I am rewarded, well rewarded!