arry her lover. Fritz gives it very graciously,
congratulating himself, that he is free from hymen's bonds.

He treats his friends to a hearty dinner, in which Susel, his tenant's
daughter, who comes to present her landlord with a nosegay of violets,
joins. Fritz makes her sit beside him, and for the first time remarks
the growing loveliness of the young maiden. While they are feasting a
gipsy, Seppel, plays a serenade in honor of the birthday, which makes a
deep impression on fair Susel. When the latter has departed, the
joviality of the company increases. Hanczo and Friedrich, two friends
laughingly prophesy to the indignant Fritz, that he will soon be
married, and David even makes a bet, which, should he prove right will
make him owner of one of his friend's vineyards. At the end of the
first act a procession of orphans hail the landlord as their benefactor.

In the second act we find our friend Fritz as guest in the house of his
tenant. Susel is sedulously engaged in selecting flowers and cherries
for her {104} landlord, who, coming down into the garden, is presented
by her with flowers. Soon she mounts a ladder, and plucking cherries,
throws them to Fritz, who is uncertain which are the sweeter, the
maiden's red lips or the ripe cherries, which she offers him. In the
midst of their enjoyment the sound of bells and cracking of whips is
heard, Fritz's friends enter. He soon takes them off for a walk, only
old David stays behind with Susel, pleading fatigue. Taking occasion
of her presenting him with a drink of fresh water, he makes her tell
him the old story of Isaac and Rebecca and is quite satisfied to guess
at the state of her feelings by the manner in which she relates the
simple story. On Fritz's return he archly communicates to him that he
has found a suitable husband for Susel, and that he has her father's
consent. The disgust and fright, which Fritz experiences at this news
reveals to him something of his own feelings for the charming maiden.
He decides to return home at once, and does not even take farewell of
Susel, who weeps in bitter disappointment.

In the third act Fritz, at home again, can find no peace anywhere.
When David tells him that Susel's marriage is a decided fact he breaks
out, and in his passion downright forbids the marriage. At this moment
Susel appears, bringing her landlord a basket of fruit. She looks pale
and sad, and when Fritz sarcastically asks her whether she comes