In the second act, Werner gives Maria a music lesson under the blossoming chestnut-trees, or rather he forgets his business and employs the time in making love to his pupil. The happy pair are discovered by the watchful Countess, who indignantly tells her brother, whereupon that wrath ful gentleman summarily dismisses Werner from the castle. Meantime, the Count of Wildenstein arrives with the foolish Damian and the parents talk of an immediate wedding. Maria will have nothing to do with her new suitor and breaks down completely when Werner departs.
The denouement is brought about speedily in the third act. The rebellious peasants lay siege to the castle. The trembling Damian is sent out " to be a hero " and to dis perse them. Soon knocking is heard at the gate and the shrieking Damian implores admittance. He whimpers that the common herd do not even know the rules of fighting; they have crushed his helmet and torn his jacket. It remains for Werner and the soldiers to drive the peasants back. He is brought in with his arm wounded. While it is being dressed, there is discovered a mark upon it which proves that he is the lost son of the Count and Countess of Wildenstein. The Baron tells Maria that she has won and that he has no further desire to possess the cowardly Damian for a son-in-law. As the citizens raise their voices in praise of the brave young soldier, we are left to draw our own conclusions as to whether the restoration of the true heir of Wildenstein effected a reconciliation between his father and mother. From the happy tone of the final
chorus, one is led to conclude that everything turned out satisfactorily.
In the prelude are heard the student and soldier choruses ; among them being the love song, "A vassal e'er faithful now lies at your feet." In the first act occur the peasant dances and choruses celebrating the fete ; the fuming of the Baron at his gout ; Maria's song in praise of the trumpeter, " His gait is proud and stately." In the second act are the love duet of Werner and Maria, " Shinest not warmer? sunlight golden ;" Young Werner's farewell song, " God shield thee, love," the most popular number in the score. The third act contains the battle song sung by the soldiers before marching against the peasants and Conradin's song with a chorus " Love and merry trumpet-blowing." All these charming numbers go to make up a light opera which placed Nessler among the most admired of the lesser composers of Germany and secured for the work itself performance and enduring popularity in every country where the German language and German sentiment are understood and appreciated.