understand about
jewels, I suppose?

MIN.
Not particularly.

LAND.
Of course your ladyship must. I must show you a ring, a valuable ring.
I see you have a very beautiful one on your finger; and the more I
look at it, the more I am astonished at the resemblance it bears to
mine. There! just look, just look!
(Taking the ring from its case, and handing it to her.)
What brilliancy! The diamond in the middle alone weighs more than five
carats.

MIN. (looking at it).
Good heavens! What do I see? This ring!!!!!

LAND.
Is honestly worth fifteen hundred thalers.

MIN.
Franziska! look!

LAND.
I did not hesitate for a moment to advance eighty pistoles on it.

MIN.
Do not you recognize it, Franziska?

FRAN.
The same! Where did you get that ring, Mr. Landlord?

LAND.
Come, my girl! you surely have no claim to it?

FRAN.
We have no claim to this ring! My mistress' monogram must be on it, on
the inner side of the setting. Look at it, my lady.

MIN.
It is! it is! How did you get this ring?

LAND.
I! In the most honourable way in the world. You do not wish to bring
me into disgrace and trouble, your ladyship! How do I know where the
ring properly belongs? During the war many a thing often changed
masters, both with and without the knowledge of its owner. War was
war. Other rings will have crossed the borders of Saxony. Give it me
again, your ladyship; give it me again!

FRAN.
When you have said from whom you got it.

LAND.
From a man whom I cannot think capable of such things; in other
respects a good man.

MIN.
From the best man under the sun, if you have it from its owner. Bring
him here directly! It is himself, or at any rate he must know him.

LAND.
Who? who, your ladyship?

FRAN.
Are you deaf? Our Major!

LAND.
Major! Right! he is a Major, who had this room before you, and from
whom I received it.

MIN.
Major von Tellheim!

LAND.
Yes, Tellheim. Do you know him?

MIN.
Do I know him! He is here! Tellheim here! He had this room! He! he
pledged this ring with you! What has brought him into this
embarrassment? Where is he? Does he owe you anything? Franziska, my
desk here! Open it!
(Franziska puts it on the table and opens it.)
What does he owe you? To whom else does he owe anything? Bring me all
his creditors! Here is gold: here are notes. It is all his!

LAN