Tris. Well, come, then. It is time for me to insist. I require you to come with me. (Tries to lead them off.)
Plun. (interferes). Not so fast! You belong here. These are my maids, hired and cash paid in advance! Ask the sheriff!
Sheriff (who has approached during the altercation, after a long confab with one of the other girls at one side). Have you taken the money?
Lady H. (draws it out of her purse and flings it at Lionel). Yes. But there it is; I had forgotten it.
(Lionel picks it up and offers it back. She refuses it. He insists.)
Sheriff. You took it of your own free will and now it is a bargain. You are bound to serve for one year. Highty, tighty! Do you think you can play fast and loose with a master in that fashion? No, no! Bound you are to him and with him you must go!
(During final chorus Plun. drives up his horse and cart and the two girls are handed into the cart. They drive away. Tristan tries to follow, but is restrained by the crowd. If the horse and cart cannot be had, the two girls may dodge about among the crowd, the men following them, and run off at last, the men chasing them.)
No. 7a.Finale.
Chorus.
Now our journey's o'er and here we rest with you at last,
After many a mile so long and lone is over past.
(Curtain.)