Miller (Closing the window).—He’ll be quiet for the rest of the day.

Grandmother.—Yes, he will; but tomorrow come the gentle folk.

Hanička.—You will not give up?

Miller (With a smile).—No. (Then, fervently and with determination.) Not you, at any cost!

Magistrate (In holiday clothes).—So everything is as it should be for the reception.

Franc.—If you please, sir, it is; but the gardener told me that he noticed strangers in the park, a gentleman with a lady, probably of the aristocracy.

Magistrate.—The gardener probably cannot see straight; who knows what he saw?

Franc.—He did see, if you please, sir, and he also saw the couple drive up to the rear gate in the park and walk directly into the park, and the gardener also said that perhaps they are some visitors who arrived before the nobility.

Magistrate.—Then why did he not question them?

Franc.—If you please, sir, he said he wanted to, but they escaped him down a path.

Magistrate.—And he was not quick enough. Company, hm—let them wait. We do not know anything about them, they did not report to us, did not announce themselves to us, for that reason we know nothing about them; but anyhow, Franc, who knows what they are? Yet they ought to be watched.

Franc.—If you please, sir, I have already sent old Zan after them.

Magistrate.—Then what is there to keep me here? Then everything is in readiness for the reception?

Franc.—If you please, sir, everything is as it should be;