But as unfortunately most of them were slain in battle or taken captive, he is unable to return them all, and therefore he declares himself ready to supply other men in their stead.
To this end it seems necessary to him, to see some of the Fogaras beauties, and therefore he decrees, that the town is to send him three specimen of the handsomest amongst them, a black haired, a brown haired and a fair haired beauty.
Should the women not be willing to comply with the King's command, they should be severely punished for having troubled his Majesty about nothing.
The women of Fogaras being all the reverse of pretty the governor finds himself in an awkward dilemma.
Fortunately for him the Countess Magdalen Honey has just returned home with her maid Marjunka.
The latter is at once surrounded by her old companions, and begins to tell them 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 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.