Arthur und Leontine

Artur Drmola is the spoiled son of a rich family who proclaims to one and all that every young woman retains his interest for three months at the longest, and if he were to have a wife it would be no different. One morning the young man, still drunk, meets his old childhood friend Leontýna Sobotová. The young woman reproaches him for his way of life, but Artur does not recall from where she could know him. Leontýna is also from a wealthy family, yet she works in her father's company. Artur's affection for her completely transforms him and he also begins to work in his father's office. His worried mother thinks that something is missing in Artur's life, and she intends to have him married. The Sobota's, however, do not accept her bargaining, for their daughter may select the man she will marry after her own discretion. Clearly Leontýna is pleased with the change in Artur and in the end she actually becomes his wife. The young woman is well aware, however, of Artur's former claim, and she asks him to promise that during the three months he will not touch her and they will be husband and wife formally and only in public. But Artur and Leontýna soon come to understand that they were made for one another. (Verleiher-Text)