as ever, though a strange
alienation of mind has sadly changed him. Rappelkopf does not believe
her; he asks why she should suppose such a thing. Sabine relates the
scene with Habakuk, who, having been sent by her into the garden with a
kitchen-knife to cut some vegetables, was regarded as a murderer by her
insane husband, who had fled at once. This explanation moves
Rappelkopf deeply, and when Marthe begs him earnestly to assure her
father when he sees him of her deep filial love, and to speak in favour
of Hans without whom she cannot live, he kisses her tenderly and then
begs to be left alone for a short time. They all leave him, but almost
immediately afterwards Rappelkopf hears a great uproar, which Habakuk
explains by announcing the return of his master, who seems to be in a
more frantic state than ever.

Astragalus now enters transformed into the appearance of Rappelkopf.
He pushes Hans before him overwhelming him with a volley of abuse. The
real Rappelkopf, coming forward to greet his {448} brother-in-law, is
received no better. When Rappelkopf mentions Sabine, Astragalus speaks
of her exactly in the same way as Rappelkopf had formerly done, calling
her a murderess, a dragon etc.; in fact he behaves in such a manner
that Rappelkopf begins to be afraid of his own (Rappelkopf's) image.
Astragalus having shut himself up in his own room now rings violently;
both servants rush forward at his call, but neither of them dares to
enter the tyrant's apartment. Rappelkopf, already heartily ashamed of
himself now asks the servants what their opinion is about their master
and receives the instant reply, that he is a madman, of whom everybody
is afraid.--They confess their attachment to each other, and entreat
the supposed uncle Joseph to try to bring their master back to reason,
and to put in a good word for them about their wedding. The uncle
promises everything, and having got a knife from Habakuk he goes into
the garden to cut some roses for Sabine. Habakuk and his sweet-heart
are left alone and exchange a few words, but they timidly separate when
Astragalus enters. However he takes no notice of them, but looking out
of the window he perceives Rappelkopf, returning from the garden with
the knife and a bunch of roses. Rappelkopf no sooner sees his double,
than he tries to slink off unobserved, but Astragalus detains him and
pointing to the knife in his hand abuses him in the very language which
Rappelkopf had for