Sitting on the bench outside of the gazebo Maria could not stop crying. The words of the Baroness replaying in her head. Why did these accusations affect her so deeply? If she was not in love with the Captain, the Baronesses insinuations should not bother her.
Remembering the past couple of weeks, after her confrontation with the Captain by the lake, she had felt different towards him. He had changed. Gone was the strict disciplinarian, in his place was a caring, loving father. The children were happier now. He even sang with Liesl the night of the puppet show. She remembers the song and how he looked up at her when he finished. His eyes looking deeply into hers. She had felt something that night, something she had never felt before. Her stomach felt light as if butterflies were lightly tickling it. She had never felt that way before. And then again tonight when they danced she had felt it again, this time stronger than before. The way the Captain had looked at her as if he was seeing her inner soul. The realization hit her. She was in love with him, she knew it now. What was she to do. Standing up she begins to walk toward the gazebo when movement catches her eye.
" Is someone there" she calls out into the darkness. She strains her eyes to see who it could be.
Out of the shadows steps a lone figure. She gasps quietly as she sees his face. Herr Zeller.
" I'm sorry Fraulein, I didn't mean to frighten you." Zeller says as he walks closer to her.
Maria, suddenly feeling very uneasy backs away from him. " Is there something you want" she says backing up even further.
" No, I came to see if you were all right. I saw you running from the terrace and I was concerned" he says stepping closer to her. She steps further away and finds herself in the gazebo.
" There is no need to be concerned Her Zeller, I assure you I am fine" she says as she begins to walk by him. Zeller steps in front of her as if to block her from leaving.
" Herr Zeller if you would excuse me I need to get back to the children" she says as she tries to get by him once more.
Zeller again blocks her way. " Not so fast Fraulein. I thought we could continue our conversation from earlier tonight.
Maria is getting scared now. She does not like this man. His eyes look at her in a strange way.
" Herr Zeller I think I said all I had to. I truly must get back" she again tries to get by him but this time he grabs her by the arm.
Meanwhile on the terrace the Captain looks for Maria. He goes back into the ball room where he asks Frau Schmidt if she has seen her.
" Last time I saw her sir she was talking to the Baroness out there" she says pointing to the terrace.
" Elsa, why would she want to talk to Maria" he says to himself.
I'm sorry sir but I guess I was watching a little too long. It looked as if Maria was very upset after the Baroness was done. She ran off the terrace towards the gardens." she says pointing to the terrace. Georg looks around the room for Elsa. Spotting her across the room he goes to her.
" Elsa I am looking for Maria have you seen her?" he asks her looking around the room.
" No Georg I have not seen her since dinner" she says coyly.
" No? Frau Schmidt said she saw you talking to her on the terrace. What exactly were you talking about?
Elsa suddenly looking very uncomfortable says " Oh just girl talk darling"
"Girl talk, Elsa you hardly have much in common with her besides Frau Schmidt said Maria seemed upset. I am asking you again what did you say? He says leading her onto the terrace.
"I didn't say much only that I felt as if she was getting a little to close to you. After all Georg we are planning on getting married and I felt as if she was getting a little too friendly with you".
" Too close, what exactly do you mean? he asks rather loudly.
" If you must know I accused her of being in love with you, surely Georg you have seen the way she looks at you. I was only protecting what was mine.
" Yours, Elsa I am hardly a possession. How dare you approach her in that way. She has never done anything to you. I wonder if I have made a mistake. Maybe we should rethink our relationship.
" What! I don't believe this. I thought I was seeing things but I guess my instincts are not so wrong after all. You are in love with her. I thought it was just an infatuation but now I know I was wrong. Georg you can't be serious, she is a commoner, a peasant, you can't really have feelings for her" she says glaring at him.
"Elsa what feelings I have for Maria are not at issue. I am concerned about where she is. I am asking you where she went"
" She went out there towards the gardens . Georg we need to talk about us" .
" Elsa we will talk later, right now I want to find Maria"
" Georg if you go after her we are through" Elsa says as Georg walks toward the walkway for the gardens.
He stops looks towards Elsa and replies " then I guess we are through. With that answer he disappears behind the bushes. Elsa walks into the ballroom and up the stairs. Max tries to stop her but she pushes him away.
Georg walks along the garden and towards the lake. Elsa's words repeat in his mind. In love with her. She has changed his life since coming to his villa. He remembers , looking at the water the day she changed his life. The day he found himself and his children again. No woman had ever talked to him that way not even Agathe. She brought music back into his life. The night of the puppet show, when he had sung Edelweiss, he couldn't understand how he was drawn to her. The look in her eyes when their eyes met. Tonight when they had danced. He felt it and he could tell she felt it too.
"My God I am in love with her. I must find her so I can tell her" Georg begins to call Maria's name hoping she would answer. His body froze as he saw two figures inside the gazebo. Trying to see who it is he begins to walk a little faster. A sudden scream makes him stop again. Maria!
Back at the gazebo Maria is trying to get away from Zeller.
"Herr Zeller please let go of my arm your hurting me" Maria says as she tries to release herself from his grip.
" My, my Fraulein why do you fight me so. Surely you don't fight this hard when the Captain is with you." he says pulling her closer to him.
Maria's heart is racing, wishing she had never come out here alone. She recoils as she feels Zellers alcohol filled breath reach her nose. She feels his hands go around her waist and pull her closer. He presses his lips against hers. She turns her head and lets out a scream.
Grabbing her head Zeller yells at her "Fraulein, scream again and I will be forced to take drastic measures. She begins to softly cry as she feels Zeller pulling on the back of her dress. Realizing what his intentions are she starts to fight. Zeller grabs her and slaps her across the mouth. Maria falls to the floor sobbing. She watches in horror as he begins to reach for the buckle of his pants.
Out of nowhere it seems a large figure grabs Zeller from behind. The two figures fight as Maria manages to stand up. She tries to make out who the other man is. They turn toward her and she gasps. Captain! She watches as the Captain punches Zeller numerous times. She has never seen such rage. Zeller finally falls to the floor, knocked unconscious from the Captains final blow. She stands breathing heavily from her ordeal. She watches as the Captain checks on Zeller.
Turning away she softly begins to cry. Her body letting go of the fear. She feels a hand on her shoulder and slowly turns. Looking up she finds his eyes. Eyes that show concern and something else she dare not hope for.
" Maria"
