Beauvalle (Terribly excited).—I am your lord and your judge. It is my duty as your master to sentence you, and I shall not swerve from my duty! I truly did, Count Dejm, listen to your counsel for a time . . .

Dejm.—You are mad! Who is charging you?

Beauvalle (Confused).—You, Tomeš . . . all these present . . . But I have again recovered my senses and only this one here, (pointing to Tomeš) remained in open rebellion! I then have the right, the power . . . it is a duty I must fulfil to sentence him as a rebel, the murderer of Schirnding, a traitor to the ruling power, and finally as a poacher, who long ago deserved the death which is now awaiting him.

Tomeš (Is silent for a while, then calmly and intelligently to Beauvalle).—Am I suddenly guilty of so many crimes, Count? (With rising anger) Well then, exercise your ill-gotten power, and sentence me to death to save yourself!

(Below in the court is heard an uproar, screams and the sound of a struggle between the soldiers and the people.)

Beauvalle (Greatly aroused).—I hereby sentence you,—yes, to death itself I sentence you!

(At this instant, Lída bursts into the room, a dagger in her hand, and overhears the last words of Beauvalle. Behind her are a number of serfs, the soldiers rushing in behind them. All arise. A growing uproar and clamor under the window.)

Lída, Beauvalle, Dejm, Tomeš, Jordán, Hopfling, magistrate, park keeper, Jan, and three other servants.

Lída.—You shall not sentence him,—I am here now!

Beauvalle.—Lída!

All.—What an uproar!

Lída (To Beauvalle).—I gave him up to you,—but not unto death, and I must now take him back again!

Beauvalle.—You are mad!

Lída.—You picked him out, called him from his cottage to go to Prague to fight in your place.

Beauvalle (Wildly).—Hold her . . .