Bětuška (Frightened).—No, for Heaven’s sake, please, no, no—forgive me, I cannot breathe, I cannot stay. (Runs away.)
Sylvia.—What is the matter with that girl?
Karmín.—Oh, she’s a stupid, peasant girl. She is shy and afraid. (One of the cavaliers talks with Karmín. Jeroným steps out of the castle without his gun.)
Scene XII
Jeroným and preceding.
Christine.—Master Jeroným!
Sylvia.—Why do you call him?
Christine.—My dear Master Jeroným, you have shown such obedience that I must praise and reward you. During the harvest celebration, you are to stay by my side and you are only to serve the needs of myself and Countess Sylvia.
Sylvia.—Christina!
Jeroným.—Such a distinction. . . .
Christine.—Countess Sylvia reprimands me but be assured that it doesn’t worry me a particle. She’d like to have me obey her constantly and I can’t mind anyone on earth.
Sylvia.—Count Sterneck, your arm.
Jeroným (Hearing her request, to himself).—Always so cold!
Sylvia (To Christine).—Aren’t you going to join the procession?
Christine.—But where is my cavalier, my tiny cousin, Count Morzin? Why, I’ve lost him completely! I am without an escort.
Sylvia.—Count Morzin—Countess Christina wants you.
Morzin (steps forward).
Earl Roveredo-Lanzenfeld.—Well, then, to the meadow. Let the festivities begin and then the dance. Give the signal to the musicians!
(The village musicians play the “Skočná”[1] while all depart for the forest. Bětuška enters from the right and heedful to remain unseen, she observes Jeroným.)
Christine.—Look, Sylvia, where did you leave your fan—your lovely fan? Here in the forest there are gnats and mosquitoes. They will sting you, if you don’t defend yourself. Master Jeroným, will you go for the fan? But you must fly back to us.
- ↑ Skočná, a merry, tripping dance tune.
