urderer. Then
he goes on to say that he intended to serve notice of distraint on Frau
Willmers, but had found her door locked. Suddenly he catches sight of
the cupboard which seems familiar to him, whereupon he hurriedly leaves
to convince himself that the valuable piece of furniture has been
removed from Frau Willmers'. Meanwhile the Burgomaster arrives to ask
for Gertrude's hand. He first tells her of Bertel's suit, and is
rather taken aback upon the widow advising him to accept Bertel as a
son-in-law. Gertrude listens somewhat impatiently to his proposal, and
just as he is about to kiss her, Lampe appears at the door with Frau
Willmers. Gertrude hastily conceals the Burgomaster in the cupboard.
Lampe having compelled the unfortunate Frau Willmers to admit the
ownership of the cupboard, {535} promptly affixes the official seal,
thus unconsciously seizing the Burgomaster as well as the cupboard.
The key is not to be found, and Lampe looking through a hole sees
something moving. He suspects a gallant to be inside and leaves the
house to fetch the Burgomaster. No sooner has he left than Bertel and
Elsa reappear, and are told by Gertrude of what has happened. They
resolve to turn the Burgomaster's involuntary imprisonment to their
advantage. While Gertrude and Frau Willmers go in search of witnesses,
the pair of lovers enact a regular comedy in front of the cupboard.
Bertel protests to his sweetheart that his loyalty to, and regard for,
her father prevent him from being a party to any deception. He
declares that he will rather die than marry the daughter against her
father's wishes, whereupon Elsa takes tragic leave of her lover. The
Burgomaster, deeply affected, reveals his presence and promises
everything if Bertel will only release him. Bertel demands Elsa's hand
in return, and the latter hastily draws up a marriage contract in
virtue of which she is to be allowed to marry in a fortnight, and is to
receive into the bargain from her father 500 dollars in gold, a house
and garden, with the customary livestock, to wit, cows, goats, ducks,
hens, etc. The document is passed into the cupboard by Bertel and
signed by the prisoner. He is then set at liberty, and gives the
couple his blessing. But to punish them for their sins, the
Burgomaster now locks them up in the cupboard, {536} seals it lightly
[Transcriber's note: tightly?], and hides himself in the alcove.
Hereupon Gertrude appears, accompanied by a merry