Trude and Johannes exchange a rapid glance of understanding and simultaneously beg to be excused.
"Good-bye then, children, and enjoy yourselves thoroughly!" With that he goes off.
"I have never seen him in such good spirits," remarks Trude, laughing. "Indeed, no one could grudge them to him," says Johannes in a gentle voice, looking affectionately after his brother. He wants to kill the gnawing which has awakened within him at sight of Martin.
Evening has come on. The festive crowd is bathed in purple light. The wood and the meadow are ruddy red.
In a lonely nook at the meadow's edge, Trude stops and looks with dazzled gaze towards the faintly glowing sun.
"Ah, if only it would not set for us today!" she cries, stretching forth her arms.
"Well, command it not to!" says Johannes.
"Sun, I command thee to stay with us!"
And as the red ball sinks lower and lower, she suddenly shivers and says: "Do you know what idea just came into my head? That we should never see it rise again!" Then she laughs aloud. "I know it is all nonsense! Come and dance."
And they return to the dancing-tent. A new dance has just commenced. Fired by longing, entranced by contemplation of each other, they whirl along and disappear in a dark little corner near the musicians' platform, which they have chosen in order to avoid the searching gaze of the other dancers, who are all dying to make the acquaintance of the miller's lovely wife.