Act I. It is the anniversary of the consecration of the village

church. _Marie_, daughter of the rich peasant _Kruschina_, is not happy for she must today accept a suitor picked out for her by her parents and she only loves _Hans_ although she does not know his antecedents. _Hans_ consoles her. He will always be true to her and he comes from a good family, only a wicked stepmother has robbed him of his father's love. So she must be of good cheer. Then _Marie's_ parents arrive with the marriage broker, _Kezal_. The latter wants to complete arrangements for the marriage of _Marie_ and _Wenzel_, the rich son of the peasant _Micha_. When _Marie's_ father has given his consent to this union, the go-between considers _Marie's_ opposition as a trifle which, he tells _Micha_ outside in the inn, can be easily remedied.