Agnes.

(_Taking a letter from her pocket_.) Please read--and I think you will not reproach me.

Major (_unfolding the letter_).

Ah, from the little Frohn! Now then, what does the little Frohn write?

(_Reads, muttering_.) Lanskis--Steinhof--met cousin--danced (_aloud_).

Indeed, then he could dance, but not write, that is a nice business--I should not have believed it of him at all.... (_Reads further, muttering_.) Eyes for the so-called beautiful Frau von Lanski ... The whole regiment is talking of it.... Hm! eh, what! Such a goose! What things such a goose does cackle!... Regiment has other things to bother itself about.... But such a regulation goose ... If a young lieutenant like that isn't all the time trotting after them. And when he once shows attention to a lady who doesn't belong to the regiment ...

Besides, the Lanski is nearly forty ... Such idiocy! Then he might at least--hm--hm--eh, pardon! Now then, what is it?... My poor old girl ... Yes, yes, jealousy ... You have borne up disgracefully since yesterday.

Agnes.

I think I have controlled myself, uncle?

Major.

Yes, very true, girl, no one has noticed anything.

_THIRD SCENE_.

THE SAME. WILHELM. _Afterward_ STEPHAN, _the overseer_.

Wilhelm (_entering from the right_).

Herr Stephan is there, Major.

Major.

Come in!

(_Enter_ Stephan.)

Very well, my dear Stephen, I must drive into town directly after dark. Unless I should be detained, I shall be here early to-morrow morning--four and a half and four and a half more miles--nine miles....

The coach horses have been exercised to-day?

Stephan.

Yes, indeed, Major.

Major.

Which are in better condition now, the browns or the whites?

Stephan.

That I don't permit myself to decide, Major. They have all had it severely!

Major.

Well, I will just go and have a look myself. Wilhelm--cap!

Wilhelm.

Very well, Major. (_Exit to the right_.)

Major.

And at half after nine this evening, send a message to my wife and have her told that I must stay all night at the brick kilns--eh, you remember (_softly, looking around at_ Agnes) how we managed it the other times when I was out at night.

Stephan.

All right, Major.

Major.

Where is that fellow stopping with my cap? (_Enter_ Wilhelm.) Where were you hiding, man? (Wilhelm _hands him the cap_.) And he is tottering on his old legs! What are you tottering so for?

Wilhelm.

Indeed I am not tottering, Major.

Major.

Well, come on, Stephan! (_Exeunt_ Major, Stephan, _through the garden door_.)

_FOURTH SCENE_.

AGNES. WILHELM. _Afterward_ LIEUTENANT VON HALLERPFORT.

Wilhelm (_softly_).

Fraulein, just now as I went out, Lieutenant von Hallerpfort was standing there and wished to speak with Fraulein, privately. Neither the master nor the mistress is to know anything of it ... G.o.d, Fraulein is deadly pale!

Agnes.

Ask the lieutenant to come in, and keep a lookout, if my aunt comes.

(Wilhelm _opens the door on the right, and disappears through the door on the left hand_.)

Agnes.

(_Meeting the lieutenant as he enters_.) Herr von Hallerpfort, what has happened to Fritz?

Hallerpfort.

Nothing, Fraulein, not the least thing.... I am surprised that he is not yet here.