should I suffer so cruelly! What I was obliged to witness at the castle . . . it dried out my last burning tear, killed my very soul!
Tomeš.—Dear soul, may you overtake that peace which I did not intentionally disturb!
Lída.—It will not come . . . I cannot find peace . . and this burning pain will not be allayed. Only then . . . but fear not that I want you now . . . that I would . have what cannot be.
Tomeš.—What did you wish to say to me?
Lída (Seriously).—Tomeš, you have the power to save me. I know you are not for me . . . but listen, you shall not belong to her either! Run away, escape from us both, but do not marry her!
Tomeš.—You know my promise,—but even more, you know how dearly I love her . . .
Lída (Calls out sharply).—Do not finish. Go, Tomeš, go away! I cannot talk to you further . . . But, Tomsi, (with frenzied laughter) neither shall she belong to you! (Walks away, gazing at the ground, and talking to herself.) No, he shall not have her!
Jírak (Returning).—Tomsi, from the village comes the news that the Count and some one else from the troops have left for the forest. A troop of soldiers in the hunting lodge . . . our men calling for you! It looks as though we are to be attacked!
Tomeš.—I am coming, coming at once! (Takes a couple of steps, then pauses to look at Lída, standing motionless. His face is full of sympathy. He waves goodbye to her, then goes away.)
Lída (Steps up to the tree on which the cross is hung, talking to herself).—No, she shall not be his if I were to lose my life and very soul to prevent it! (Collapses in a heap under the cross.)
(From the right advance Beauvalle with Schirnding, looking around cautiously. Schirnding is wrapped in a heavy cloak.)
Scene III
Lída, Beauvalle, and Schirnding; later Havelka, park keeper and a troop os soldiers.
Beauvalle.—This is the only place where you can make a stand with your troops. Elsewhere the access is difficult and almost impossible.
