em of their travels and adventures.--She relates how being at
Buda ("Ofen") two years ago during the great coronation festival, King
Matthias only danced with the Countess, and even kissed her before the
whole assembly, and that Marjunka herself had also found a sweetheart
in a first-rate violinist, and that everything had seemed to be turning
out for the best, when they were suddenly summoned home to the old
Countess's death-bed.

When, the year of mourning being passed, they returned to Buda, they
found the doors of the Kingly palace closed to them; and now they {503}
have come home to their native village full of grief and sorrow.

Rosto, after having greeted the Countess, tells her of his difficulties
about the three beautiful women, whom he cannot find; but the Countess
smilingly points to her jet black hair and then to the pretty brunette
Marjunka; and offers to drive with him to castle Varpalota, where the
King resides.

Rosto is considerably relieved, as there is only the fair haired beauty
still to be found.

At this moment the goose-girl Verona passes with her geese.

She is the sweetheart of the schoolmaster, who now comes to meet her,
after having had a rehearsal with the school children for the reception
of Countess Magdalen.

Their charming love duet is interrupted by Rosto.--While the Countess
is greeted by the singing children, Rosto no sooner perceives the
flaxen haired Verona, than he rushes up to her crying: "I have her,
thank God!--the fairest of the fair!"

Augustin interposes, but when Magdalen promises, not only to take care
of the young maiden, but also to give the sweethearts a cottage, two
pigs, a cow and some geese after their return from Varpalota, he is
satisfied, and offers himself a coachman for the journey and they all
drive away in high glee.--

The second act takes place at the King's hunting palace Varpalota. A
band of Bohemian musicians is playing to the people assembled, and
{504} their leader ("Primas") Czobor plays an exquisite solo to the
royal cook Mujko, a most important person at court.

King Matthias tries to kill the time with all kinds of tricks and
frolics,--he vainly strives to forget the sweet lady he saw but once,
and whom he has sought for two years in vain.

He is on the eve of his twenty-fifth birthday, before which date he is
either to choose a bride or to lose his crown.

When the Paladin comes up to remind him of the fact, the King answers:
"Give me