manuele to run forward, warning Peppina, that the
young Prince is close at hand. The Italian is filled with jealousy,
when he hears of the primadonna's meeting with Pepusch and begins to
make violent love to her.--

She makes fun of him and finally Prince Ferdinand puts an end to the
scene. He plays several quick runs on his flute, and addresses himself
chiefly {487} in the French tongue, for which he has a weakness, to his
favourite Emanuele.

Peppina has concealed herself behind some trees. Prince Ferdinand
relates how he has received orders from his father to inspect the
regiment, but that he made Pepusch take his place. A few minutes later
Pepusch turns up and admits, that he has not carried out Prince
Ferdinand's command.

The young Prince then confides to Pepusch, that he has made
arrangements for a grand fete which is to take place that same evening,
to which he has invited a large and select company. All this Pepusch
knows already from Peppina. But when the Prince invites him to take
part with a performance of his "hog-canon", he is beside himself,
knowing well that Emanuele insinuated this idea to the Prince, simply
to expose him to ridicule. The Prince however insists, and when he
goes away, Peppina comes out of her hiding place and shares Pepusch's
despair.

Vainly Pepusch tries to find some new musical motive, to enhance his
quartette's effect, when suddenly Peppina begins to sing.
Involuntarily he grunts an accompaniment. All at once he starts and
exclaims "Ah, now I have it". After embracing Peppina he hurries away.
The primadonna gets up too, but runs right into old Prince Eberhard,
who calls out "What! A woman in my royal domains! Who is it?!"
Peppina, unintimidated replies: "I am a Tyrolese singer and who are
you?" When the prince tells her who he is she retorts: "Nonsense,
{488} Prince Eberhard is away at the manoeuvres." When she has charmed
the old prince sufficiently by her marvellous trills and scales she
tells him, that although she has all Italy and France at her feet she
cares most of all for the good opinion of Prince Ferdinand, young
though he is.

Prince Eberhard is half pleased, half angry, and complains, that there
is never praise for any one save his son. Drawing forth a note, he
shows her, that he is informed of the evening festival, which is to
take place in his absence. Hearing this, Peppina informs him of the
plot, which has been meditated against poor Pepusch, an