(Countess and Beauvalle dressed in black. Countess is seated at the table to the left, Beauvalle at the large table wrapped in thought.).

Countess.—Count, are you going to hold Tomeš as a prisoner? Won’t you let him out under some sort of penalty instead?

Beauvalle (Icily).—You advise me to let him go?

Countess.—You dare not let him go free! But release him under a penalty, under some sort of a bond!

Beauvalle (Sternly).—Consider your own advice,—you might be obliged to sacrifice your own head or mine were it carried out.

Countess (Deeply hurt).—This is worse than severity!

Beauvalle.—I only regret that you cannot see how impossible it is to grant your request.

Countess.—You fear the result of the uprising more than is really necessary. The insurrection is quelled, the people suppressed before they could reach the Bavarians.

Beauvalle (Rising, icily).—Yes, you are right. The people are scattered. But it is necessary to be prepared for them. We must be armed, ready for an attack at any moment . . . And nothing has happened? What have I done? Nothing at all, only risen against her Majesty, the Empress, who now seems to be victorious! Only caused an uprising on my own estate, among my own serfs . . . only caused the inevitable death of Baron Schirnding, who by his death will greatly weaken the cause of the Reservists upon whom Her Majesty greatly depended . . .

Countess.—But surely Schirnding will recover?

Beauvalle.—We will know very soon. (Rings. Enter Jan) How is the Colonel, Baron Schirnding?

Jan.—The physician has given up all hope.

Countess (Frightened, stirs uneasily.)

Beauvalle (To the Countess).—Well? (Motions Jan away) Are you beginning to believe that all is not well with us?

Countess.—And still I believe you fear the penalty too much.

Beauvalle (Coolly).—And what manner of punishment is liable to fall upon me? Only such as befell a group of nobles more than a hundred years ago, after the Old Town uprising in Prague when they were put to death in a wholesale massacre . . . nothing more. We have stepped into this castle to fill the place of one who