wife's finery. But Adele and the
whole party pretend to be very indignant at his mistaking a fine lady
for a maid. Prince Orlofsky proceeds to make Eisenstein most
uncomfortable, by telling him that Dr. Falck has promised to afford him
great amusement, by playing some practical joke at Eisenstein's
expense. The last guest who enters is Rosalind, whom nobody
recognizes, because she is masked. Dr. Falck introduces her as a
Hungarian countess who has consented to be present at the soiree only
on condition that her incognito be respected. {482} She catches just a
glimpse of Eisenstein, who is flirting violently with Adele instead of
being in prison, and determines to punish him. Noticing the
magnificent attire and fine form of the supposed countess, Eisenstein
at once devotes himself to the new comer. He even counts her heart
beats with the aid of a watch which he keeps for that purpose, without,
however, giving it away as he always promises to do. But Rosalind
suddenly takes possession of the watch, and slips away with it.--The
whole party finally assembles at supper, where Eisenstein becomes very
jovial, and tells how he once attended a masquerade ball with his
friend Falck, who was disguised as a bat. Eisenstein, it appears,
induced his friend to drink so heavily, that he fell asleep in the
street, where Eisenstein left him. Falck did not wake up till morning,
when he had to go home amid the jeers of a street crowd, by whom he was
nicknamed "Dr. Fledermaus".--Eisenstein's story creates much amusement,
but Dr. Falck only smiles, saying, he who laughs last, laughs best.

After a champagne supper and some dancing, Eisenstein remembers, when
the clock strikes six, that he ought to be in prison. Both he and Dr.
Franck take a merry leave of the boisterous party.

The third act begins with Franck's return to his own room, where he is
received by the jailer.--Frosch has taken advantage of his master's
absence to get drunk, while Franck himself has likewise {483} become
somewhat intoxicated. He grows drowsy while recalling the incidents of
Prince Orlofsky's fete, and finally falls fast asleep.--

Adele and her sister Ida interrupt his slumbers, in order to ask the
supposed marquis to use his influence in the former's behalf. Adele
confesses that she is in reality a lady's maid, but tries to convince
Franck, the supposed marquis, and her sister (who is a ballet dancer),
of her talents by showing them what she can d