en Cuevana 3. István Pongrácz, lord of the castle of Nedec, is a strange man. He does not like his own time, so he imagines himself as a medieval lord of the castle. His surroundings also accept his whimsy, and in this way they give him a horse to ride. Like centuries before, he launches a campaign against the disobedient city of Banská Štiavnica. In their great embarrassment, the serious city fathers offer the haughty warlord a 'hostage': Apolka, the city's orphan. Her presence changes Count Pongrácz, who grows fond of the beautiful and innocent creature. But Apolka's heart belongs to another.