Sterneck.—But how will you pass through?
Charvát.—It isn’t likely that the insurrectionists will hinder me.
Earl.—Thank you, captain, thank you!
Charvát.—I am doing my duty. I am a friend of the people, but not of insubordination. I came with a message of peace. By accident, peace has turned into revolt. Therefore, I’ll probably return with a different message, the message of fire and bayonets. Farewell, your Grace, and calm the ladies. (Parts with Earl Roveredo-Lanzenfeld.)
Sterneck. (Shaking hands with the Earl and Charvát, then looking up towards the balcony where the Countesses sit).—Countesses, I shall try to bring back a rescue party. I shall be happy, Countess Sylvia, if I can effect matters so that you with Countess Christina could again freely and without danger travel anywhere in the neighborhood of the castle which is so dear to me. (With a salute he departs accompanied by Charvát and the Earl.)
Sylvia.—I want to persuade myself to be courageous and yet I tremble at times as if death had flitted by. Perhaps death would be better.
Christina.—How you frighten me, Sylvia!
Sylvia.—Don’t be afraid, they are only my fancies. Let us leave all and go to rest. (They depart.)
Scene II
Karmín alone in foreground, in the rear, four musketeers with weapons at their feet. With them, Jiřík. Later, Earl Roveredo.
Karmín.—And even if Satan with Beelzebub conspired against me and want to snatch my body from me, I won’t yield—I won’t yield. The old order of things is breaking up into dust and ruin and with it all those who existed on the profits of feudalism. The nobility and upper classes cannot stand without feudalism—and we —their servants—will be the first whom they will kick aside. Well, I want to have at least one big winning for being, these thirty years in a nobleman’s service, his faithful scourge-whip.
Scene III
Karmín, Earl, Jeroným, Výrava
