[1] Yet the opera became extremely popular, thanks to the splendid music (Moniuszko shows great prowess in many sections, e.g. the polyphonic sextet at the end of Act I) as well as the national subject matter (this was only 3 years before the January Uprising), and, perhaps, also to the incorporation of some popular melodies (like Pojedziemy na łów!

Kazimierz, however, feels that his happiness depends on the Countess's returning his love (Od twojej woli aria).

Before the ball the Countess puts on her new dress and admires herself in the mirror (Suknio coś mnie tak ubrała aria).

The guests assembled in the ballroom are clearly divided into 2 groups: Kazimierz, Bronia and Chorąży form the "national side" – dressed in simple, traditional Polish attire.

We next witness a rehearsal of the show which is to aggrandize the ball: first a ballet scene (ballet music), then a virtuoso aria sung by the Countess's friend Ewa (Italian aria), then the Podczaszyc dressed up as Neptune arrives in a shell-shaped chariot, greeted by the other guests.

The final number was to be sung by another of the Countess's friends, who fell ill. Bronia fills in for her and sings a sad song about a peasant girl longing for her soldier lover who went to war – she promises to be faithful to him to the grave (Szemrze strumyk pod jaworem song).

Upon seeing Chorąży's country manor Kazimierz is reminded of Bronia's sweet face and sincerity (Rodzinna wioska już się uśmiecha aria).

Vain and proud, she doesn't want to show her true feelings to everyone, and decides quickly to leave (Zbudzić się z ułudnych snów aria).