FRAN. What! WER. Odd things happen to the soldier in winter quarters. He has nothing to do then, so he amuses himself, and to pass the time he makes acquaintances, which he only intends for the winter, but which the good soul with whom he makes them, looks upon for life. Then, presto! a ring is suddenly conjured on to his finger; he hardly knows himself how it gets there; and very often he would willingly give the finger with it, if he could only get free from it again. FRAN. Oh! and do you think this has happened to the Major? WER. Undoubtedly. Especially in Saxony. If he had had ten fingers on each hand, he might have had all twenty full of rings. FRAN. (aside). That sounds important, and deserves to be inquired into. Mr. Freeholder, or Mr. Sergeant!!!!! WER. Little woman, if it makes no difference to you, I like "Mr. Sergeant" best. FRAN. Well, Mr. Sergeant, I have a note from the Major to my mistress. I will just carry it in, and be here again in a moment. Will you be so good as to wait? I should like very much to have a little talk with you. WER. Are you fond of talking, little woman? Well, with all my heart. Go quickly. I am fond of talking too: I will wait. FRAN. Yes, please wait. (Exit.) SCENE VI. Paul Werner WER. That is not at all a bad little woman. But I ought not to have promised her that I would wait, for it would be most to the purpose, I suppose, to find the Major. He will not have my money, but rather pawns his property. That is just his way. A little trick occurs to me. When I was in the town, a fortnight back, I paid a visit to Captain Marloff's widow. The poor woman was ill, and was lamenting that her husband had died in debt to the Major for four hundred thalers, which she did not know how to pay. I went to see her again to-day; I intended to tell her that I could lend her five hundred thalers, when I had received the money for my property; for I must put some of it by, if I do not go to Persia. But she was gone; and no doubt she has not been able to pay the Major. Yes, I'll do that; and the sooner the better. The little woman must not take it ill of me; I cannot wait. (Is going in thought, and almost runs against the Major, who meets him.) SCENE VII. Major Von Tellheim, Paul Werner MAJ. T. Why so thoughtful, Werner? WER. Oh! that is you. I was just going to pay you a visit in your new quarters, Major. MAJ. T. To fill my ears with curses against the Landlord of my old one. Do not remind me of it.