o
take leave of his sister. Dami is in love with the Rodelbauer's
handsome sister Rosel, and having no hopes of winning her, he is about
to enter the military service.--Amrei, who has returned, is much
grieved at his resolution and leaves him to fetch his bundle of
clothes.--Rosel now enters in her best attire. She loves Dami, and
though she never means to marry the poor servant lad, she allows him to
kiss and embrace her. Amrei coming back and seeing this is very much
shocked and now urges him herself to leave the village at once.

In the next scene the Landfriedbaeurin arrives from the Allgaeu with her
son Johannes.--Amrei recognizes the good woman who gave her the
garnet-necklace twelve years ago and both are very much pleased to see
each other again. The rich peasant has come to consult Krappenzacher,
known as the best matchmaker in the country, and she promises him a
large fee, if he succeeds in finding a suitable bride for Johannes.
The latter is quite willing to marry, provided he finds a girl that
pleases him and his mother gives him sound advice about the qualities
that should be found in a good wife. {472} First she must never cut a
knot but untie it, she must be content to take the second part in a
duet and so on.

In the next scene the Rodelbaeurin and Rosel come out ready for church.
Amrei has to keep house, but she is perfectly happy in the prospect of
a dance.

Meanwhile Krappenzacher tells the Rodelbauer that he has found a
splendid suitor for his sister Rosel, and the rich peasant promises him
a hundred crowns, if the match comes off.--They then stroll towards the
church and Amrei appears in her national Sunday costume and with new
shoes. She sits down on the bench, meditating sadly about the poor
chance she will have of a partner and hardly noticing Johannes who
rides by and accosts her.

A few minutes later the villagers come in a procession from church
headed by the band and the dancing begins.

Amrei sits alone neglected; nobody comes to dance with her; the
peasants threw all their wraps, kerchiefs etc. to the poor girl, who
soon looks like a clothes-stand.

Suddenly Johannes comes up. Perceiving the lonely maiden, he carries
her off to dance with him.

When the village bells ring for Vespers the dancing stops, and
Johannes, sitting down at a table treats his partner to a glass of
wine. He is greatly pleased with her, but when she tells him, that she
is only a servant he becomes th