You can't catch me that way, girl. I'll carry the war
into the enemy's country. Why do you drive other people to the altar
and let your own whole neighborhood joke you about being the Sleeping
Beauty and the virgin farmer?

ADELAIDE (_laughing_).

Well, so they do.

COLONEL.

The richest heiress in the whole district! Courted by a host of
adorers, yet so firmly intrenched against all sentiment; no one can
comprehend it.

ADELAIDE.

My dear Colonel, if our young gentlemen were as lovable as certain
older ones--but, alas! they are not.

COLONEL.

You shan't escape me. We shall hold you fast in town, until we find
one among our young men whom you will deem worthy to be enrolled under
your command. For whoever be your chosen husband, he will have the
same experience I have had--namely, that, first or last, he will have
to do your bidding.

ADELAIDE (_quickly_).

Will you do my bidding with regard to Ida and the professor? Now I
have you!

COLONEL.

Will you do me the favor of choosing your husband this winter while
you are with us? Yes? Now I have _you_!

ADELAIDE.

It's a bargain! Shake hands! [_Holds out her hand to him._]

COLONEL (_puts his hand in hers, laughing_).

Well, you're outwitted.

[_Exit through centre door._]

ADELAIDE (_alone_).

I don't think I am. What, Mr. Conrad Bolz! Is that your reputation
among people! You live an irregular life? You have loose morals? You
are an evil genius?--

_Enter_ KORB.

KORB (_through the centre door with a package_).

Where shall I put the account-books and the papers, Miss Adelaide?

ADELAIDE.

In my apartment. Tell me, dear Korb, did you find your room here in
order?

KORB.

In the finest order. The servant has given me two wax candles; it is
pure extravagance.

ADELAIDE.

You need not touch a pen for me this whole day. I want you to see the
town and look up your acquaintances. You have acquaintances here, I
suppose?

KORB.

Not very many. It is more than a year since I was last here.

ADELAIDE (_indifferently_).

But are there no people from Rosenau here?

KORB.

Among the soldiers are four from the village. There is John Lutz of
Schimmellutz--

ADELAIDE.

I know. Have you no other acquaintance here from the village?

KORB.

None at all, except him, of course--

ADELAIDE.

Except him? Whom do you mean?

KORB.

Why, our Mr. Conrad.

ADELAIDE.

Oh, to be sure! Are you not going to visit him? I thought you