Arms and The Man by George Bernard Shaw - Act 2

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Act two of Arms and the Man by George Bernard Shaw.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Act two,
the sixth of March eighteen eighty six. In the garden
of Major Petkoff's house, it is a fine spring morning

(00:22):
and the garden looks fresh and pretty. Beyond palings, the
tops of a couple of minarets can be seen, showing
that there is a valley there with the little town
in it. A few miles further, the Balkan mountains rise
and shut. In the view within the garden, the side
of the house is seen on the right, with a
garden door reached by a little flight of steps. On

(00:45):
the left. The stable yard with its gateway, encroaches on
the garden. There are fruit bushes along the palings and
house covered with washing hung out to dry. A path
runs by the house and rises by two steps at
the corner where it turns out of the right. Along
the front. In the middle, a small table with two

(01:05):
bent wood chairs at it is laid for breakfast with
Turkish coffee, pot cups, rolls, et cetera, but the cups
have been used and the bread broken. There is a
wooden garden seat against the wall on the left. Luca,
smoking a cigarette, is standing between the table and the house,
turning her back with angry disdain on a man servant

(01:28):
who is lecturing her. He is a middle aged man
of cool temperament and low but clear and keen intelligence,
with the complacency of the servant who values himself on
his rank in servility, and the imperturbability of the accurate
calculator who has no illusions. He wears a white Bulgarian

(01:49):
costume jacket with decorated border, sash, wide knickerbuckers and decorated garters.
His head is shaved up to the crown, giving him
a high japan forehead. His name is Nikola. Nikola be
warned in time, Luca, mend your manners. I know the mistress.

(02:10):
She is so grand that she never dreams that any
servant would dare to be disrespectful to her. But if
she once suspects that you are defying her, out you go, Luca.
I do defy her. I will defy her. What do
I care for her? Niccola. If you quarrel with the family,

(02:31):
I can never marry you. It's the same as if
you quarreled with me, Luca, you take her part against me,
do you, Nicola said lately, I shall always be dependent
on the good will of the family. When I leave
their service and start a shop in Sophia, their custom
will be half my capital. Their bad word would ruin me. Luca,

(02:56):
you have no spirit. I should like to see dare
say a word against me, Nicola, pitying. I should have
expected more sense from you, Luca. But you're young, Your young, Luca,
you have no spo no, Luca, Yes, and you like

(03:16):
me the better for it, don't you. But I know
some family secrets they wouldn't care to have told young
as I am. Let them quarrel with me if they dare,
Nicola with compassionate superiority. Do you know what they would
do if they heard you talk like that? Luca? What

(03:37):
could they do, Nicola? Discharge you for untruthfulness? Who would
believe any stories you told after that? Who would give
you another situation? Who in this house would dare be
seen speaking to you ever again? How long would your
father be left on his little farm? She impatiently throws

(03:59):
away the end for cigarette and stamps on it. Child,
You don't know the power such high people have over
the like of you. And me when we try to
rise out of our poverty against them. He goes close
to her and lowers his voice. Look at me. Ten
years in their service? Do you think I know no secrets?

(04:21):
I know things about the Mistress that she wouldn't have
the Master know for a thousand levers. I know things
about him that she wouldn't let him hear the last
of for six months if I blab them to her.
I know things about Rhena that would break off her
match with Sergius, if Luca turning on him quickly. How

(04:41):
do you know I never told you, Nikola, opening his
eyes cunningly. So that's your little secret, is it? I
thought it might be something like that. Well, you take
my advice and be respectful and make the mistress feel
that no matter what you know or don't, No, they
can depend on you to hold your tongue and serve

(05:04):
the family faithfully. That's what they like, and that's how
you make most out of them. Luca, with searching scorn,
you have the soul of a servant, Nikola. Nikola complacently, Yes,
that's the secret of success in service. A loud knocking

(05:25):
with a whip handle on a wooden door outside on
the left is heard male voice outside. Hello, Hello there,
nikolaw Luca master back from the war. Nikola quickly, my
word for it, Luca, the war is over. Off with
you and get some fresh coffee. He runs into the

(05:46):
stable yard. Luca as she puts the coffee pot and
the cups upon the tray and carries it into the house,
You'll never put the soul of a servant into me.
Major pet Cough comes from the stable, followed by Nikola.
He is a cheerful, excitable, insignificant, unpolished man of about fifty,

(06:08):
naturally unambitious except as to his income and his importance
in local society, but just now greatly pleased with the
military rank which the war has thrust on him. As
a man of consequence in his town. The fever of
plucky patriotism which the Servian attack roused in all the
Bulgarians has pulled him through the war, but he is

(06:30):
obviously glad to be home again. Petkof, pointing to the
table with his whip. Breakfast out here, eh, Nicola, Yes, sir,
the mistress and Miss Raina have just gone in. Pet Cough,
sitting down and taking a roll. Go in and say
I've come and get me some fresh coffee. Nicola, it's coming, sir.

(06:53):
He goes to the house door. Luca, with fresh coffee,
a clean cup and a brandy bottle on her tray,
meets him. Have you told the mistress, Luca, Yes, she's coming.
Nikola goes into the house. Luca brings the coffee to
the table. Pet cough. Well, the servians haven't run away
with you, have they, Luca, No, sir, pet cough, that's right.

(07:17):
Have you brought me some cognac? Luca, putting the bottle
on the table. Here, sir, pet cough, that's right. He
pours some into his coffee. Katherine, who has at this
early hour made only a very perfunctory toilet and wears
a bulgarian apron over a once brilliant but now half

(07:38):
worn out red dressing gown and a colored handkerchief tied
over her thick black hair, with Turkish slippers on her
bare feet, comes from the house looking astonishingly handsome and
stately under all the circumstances. Luca goes into the house. Catherine,
my dear Paul, what a surprise for us. She stoops

(08:00):
over the back of his chair to kiss him. Have
they brought you fresh coffee? Pet Cough, Yes, Luca's been
looking after me. The war's over. The treaty was signed
three days ago at Bucharest, and the decree for our
army to demobilize was issued yesterday, Catherine, springing erect with
flashing eyes, The war over, Paul. Have you let the

(08:24):
Austrians force you to make peace? Pet Cough submissively, my dear,
They didn't consult me. What could I do? She sits
down and turns away from him. But of course we
saw to it that the treaty was an honorable one.
It declares peace. Catherine outraged, peace Petkoff, appeasing her, but

(08:48):
not friendly relations. Remember that they wanted to put that in,
but I insisted on it being struck out. What more
could I do, Catherine? You could have annexed Servia and
made Prince Alexander Emperor of the Balkans. That what I
would have done, pet Cough. I don't doubt it in
the least, my dear, But I should have had to

(09:10):
subdue the whole Austrian Empire first, and that would have
kept me too long away from you. I missed you greatly, Catherine,
relenting ah stretches her hand affectionately across the table to
squeeze his pet cough. And how have you been, my
dear Catherine, Oh, my usual sore throats, that's all pet cough,

(09:35):
with conviction that comes from washing your neck every day.
I've often told you so, Catherine, nonsense, Paul pet cough
over his coffee and cigarette. I don't believe in going
too far with these modern customs. All this washing can't
be good for the health. It's not natural. There was

(09:57):
an Englishman at Philipopoulos who used to wet his himself
all over with cold water every morning when he got up. Disgusting.
It all comes from the English. Their climate makes them
so dirty that they have to be perpetually washing themselves.
Look at my father. He never had a bath in
his life, and he lived to be ninety eight, the

(10:17):
healthiest man in Bulgaria. I don't mind a good wash
once a week to keep up my position, but once
a day is carrying the thing to a ridiculous extreme. Catherine,
you are a barbarian at Hartsteel. Paul. I hope you
behaved yourself before all those Russian officers pet cough. I

(10:40):
did my best. I took care to let them know
that we had a library. Catherine. Ah, but you didn't
tell them that we have an electric bell in it.
I have had one put up, pet cough. What's an
electric bell, Catherine. You touch a button, something tinkles in
the case, and then Nicola comes up, pet cough. Why

(11:04):
not shout for him, Catherine. Civilized people never shout for
their servants. I've learned that while you were away, pet cough. Well,
I'll tell you something I've learned too. Civilized people don't
hang out there washing to dry where visitors can see it.
So you'd better have all that indicating the clothes on
the bushes put somewhere else. Catherine. Oh, that's absurd, Paul.

(11:30):
I don't believe really refined people notice such things. Someone
is heard knocking at the stable gates pet cough. They're
Sergius shouting hello Nikola. Catherine. Oh, don't shout, Paul. It
really isn't nice. Pet cough. Bosh, he shouts louder than before.

(11:51):
Nicola Nicola appearing at the house door. Yes, sir, pet cough,
if that is Major Saranov, bring him round this way.
He pronounces the name with a stress on the second
syllable Saranov. Nikola, Yes, sir, he goes into the stable yard. Petkough.

(12:15):
You must talk to him, my dear, until Raina takes
him off our hands. He bores my life out about
our not promoting him over my head, mind you, Catherine,
He certainly ought to be promoted when he marries Raina. Besides,
the country should insist on having at least one native
general Petkough, Yes, so that he could throw away whole

(12:40):
brigades instead of regiments. It's no use, my dear. He
has not the slightest chance of promotion until we are
quite sure that the peace will be a lasting one.
Nikola at the gate, announcing Major Sergius Saranov. He goes
into the house and returns presently with a third chair,
which he places at the table. He then withdraws Major

(13:04):
Sergius Saranov, the original of the portrait and ray in
his room, is a tall, romantically handsome man with the
physical hardihood, the high spirit, and the susceptible imagination of
an untamed mountaineer chieftain. But his remarkable personal distinction is
of a characteristically civilized type. The ridges of his eyebrows

(13:29):
curving with a ramshorn twist round the marked projections at
the outer corners, his jealously observant eye, his nose thin,
keen and apprehensive, in spite of the pugnacious high bridge
and large nostril, his assertive chin would not be out
of place in a Paris salon. In short, the clever,

(13:52):
imaginative Barbarian has an acute critical faculty which has been
thrown into intense activity by the arrival of Western civilization
in the Balkans, and the result is precisely what the
advent of nineteenth century thought first produced in England. To
wit Byronism, why his brooding on the perpetual failure not

(14:17):
only of others but of himself to live up to
his imaginative ideals, his consequent cynical scorn for humanity, the
jejune credulity as to the absolute validity of his ideals,
and the unworthiness of the world in disregarding them, his
wincings and mockeries. Under the sting of the petty dissolusions

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which every hour spent among men bring to his infallibly
quick observation, he has acquired the half tragic, half ironic air,
the mysterious moodiness, the suggestion of a strange and terrible
history that has left him nothing but undying remorse, by
which child Herald fe fascinated the grandmothers of his English contemporaries. Altogether,

(15:05):
it is clear that here are nowhere is Raina's ideal hero.
Catherine is hardly less enthusiastic and much less reserved in
showing her enthusiasm. As he enters from the stable gate,
she rises effusively to greet him. Pet Cough is distinctly
less disposed to make a fuss about him. Pet Cough

(15:30):
here already, Sergius, glad to see you, Catherine, My dear Sergius.
She holds out both her hands, Sergius, kissing them with
scrupulous gallantry. My dear mother, if I may call you so,
Petkoff dryly, mother in law, Sergius, mother in law, sit

(15:52):
down and have some coffee. Sergius, thank you none for me.
He gets away from the table with a certain distaste
for Petkoff's enjoyment of it, and posts himself with conscious
grace against the rail of the steps leading to the house. Catherine,
you look superb splendid. The campaign has improved you. Everyone

(16:17):
here is mad about you. We are all wild with
enthusiasm about that magnificent cavalry charge, Sergius, with grave irony, Madam.
It was the cradle and the grave of my military reputation, Catherine.
How so, Sirchius, I won the battle the wrong way

(16:40):
when our worthy Russian generals were losing it the right way.
That have set their plans and wounded their self esteem.
Two of their colonels got their regiments driven back on
the correct principles of scientific warfare. Two major generals got
killed strictly according to military etiquette. Those two colonels are

(17:02):
now major generals, and I am still a simple major. Catherine.
You shall not remain so, Sergius. The women are on
your side, and they will see that justice has done you. Sergius.
It is too late. I have only waited for the
peace to send in my resignation. Petkof dropping his cup

(17:24):
in his amazement your resignation, Catherine, Oh, you must withdraw it, Sergius,
with resolute, measured emphasis, folding his arms. I never withdraw
petkof vexed. Now, who could have supposed you were going

(17:45):
to do such a thing, Sergius, with fire? Every one
that knew me, But enough of myself and my affairs.
How is Rayena? And where is rain Rayena suddenly coming
round the corner of the house and standing at the
top of the steps in the path, Raina is here.

(18:07):
She makes a charming picture as they all turn to
look at her. She wears an underdress of pale green silk,
draped with an overdress of thin or crew canvas embroidered
with gold. On her head, she wears a pretty, pretty
in cap of gold tinsel. Sergius, with an exclamation of pleasure,
goes impulsively to meet her. She stretches out her hand.

(18:31):
He drops chivalrously on one knee and kisses it petkof
asigh to Catherine, beaming with parental pride. Pretty, isn't it?
She always appears at the right moment. Catherine impatiently, Yes,
she listens for it. It is an abominable habit. Sergius

(18:52):
leads Raina forward with splendid gallantry, as if she were
a queen. When they come to the table, she turns
to him with a bend of the head. He bows,
and thus they separate, he coming to his place, she
going behind her father's chair. Raina stooping and kissing her father.
Dear father, welcome home, pet cough, patting her cheek, my

(19:17):
little pet girl, he kisses her. She goes to the
chair left by Nicola for Sergius and sits down. Catherine,
And so you're no longer a soldier, Sergius. Sergius, I
am no longer a soldier. Soldiering, my dear Madam, is

(19:38):
the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong,
and keeping out of harm's way when you were a weak.
That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your
enemy at a disadvantage, and never, on any account fight
him on equal terms. A major pet Cough. They wouldn't

(19:58):
let us make a fair stand up fight it. However,
I suppose soldiering has to be a trade like any
other trade, Sergius, precisely. But I have no ambition to
succeed as a tradesman. So I have taken the advice
of that bag man of a captain that settled the
exchange of prisoners with us at Pirot and given it

(20:20):
up pet coough. What that Swiss fellow, Sergius, I've often
thought of that exchange since he overreached us about those horses. Sergius.
Of course he overreached us. His father was a hotel
and livery stable keeper, and he owed his first step

(20:41):
to his knowledge of horse dealing with mock enthusiasm. Ah,
he was a soldier, every inch of soldier. If only
I had bought the horses from my regiment instead of
foolishly leading it into danger, I should have been a
field marshal. Now Catherine a Swiss? What was he doing

(21:02):
in the Servian army? Petkoff a volunteer? Of course, keene on,
picking up his profession, chuckling. We shouldn't have been able
to begin fighting if these foreigners hadn't shown us how
to do it. We knew nothing about it, and neither
did the Servians. He gad, there'd have been no war

(21:24):
without them, Raina. Are there many Swiss officers in the
Servian army? Petkof No, all Austrians, just as our officers
were all Russians. This was the only Swiss I came across.
I'll never trust a Swiss again. He cheated us, humbugged

(21:44):
us into giving him fifty able bodied men for two
hundred confounded, worn out charges. They weren't even edible, Sergius,
We were two children in the hands of that conce
of its soldier major, simply two innocent little children. Raina.
What was he like, Catherine, oh reina, What a silly question, Sergius.

(22:10):
He was like a commercial traveler in uniform boushe wa
to his boots pet cough, grinning. Sergius. Tell Catherine that
queer story his friend told us about him, how he
escaped after Slivnitza. You remember about his being hit by
two women, Sergius with bitter irony. Oh, yes, quite a romance.

(22:36):
He was serving in the very battery eye, so unprofessionally charged.
Being a thorough soldier, he ran away like the rest
of them, with our cavalry at his heels, to escape
their attentions. He had the good taste to take refuge
in the chamber of some patriotic young Bulgarian lady. The

(22:56):
young lady was enchanted by his persuasive commercial traveling. She
very modestly entertained him for an hour or so, and
then called in her mother, lest her conduct should appear unmaidenly.
The old lady was equally fascinated, and the fugitive was
sent on his way in the morning, disguised in an

(23:17):
old coat belonging to the master of the house who
was away at the war. Raina rising with marked stateliness.
Your life in the camp has made you coarse, Sergius.
I did not think you would have repeated such a
story before me. She turns away coldly. Catherine, also rising.

(23:39):
She is right, Sergius. If such women exist, we should
be spared the knowledge of them. Petkoff, pooh nonsense. What
does it matter, Sergius, ashamed, No, petkof I was wrong
to Raina. With earnest humility, I beg your pardon. I

(24:02):
have behaved abominably. Forgive me, Reina. She bows reservedly, and
you too, madam. Catherine bows graciously and sits down. He
proceeds solemnly, again addressing Reyina. The glimpses I have had
of the seamy side of life during the past few

(24:22):
months have made me cynical. But I should not have
brought my cynicism here, least of all into your presence. Rayina.
I here turning to the others, He is evidently about
to begin a long speech when the major interrupts him. Petkough,
stuff and nonsense, Sergius, that's quite enough fuss about nothing.

(24:46):
A soldier's daughter should be able to stand up without
flinching to a little strong conversation. He rises, Come, it's
time for us to get to business. We have to
make up our minds how those three Gamins are to
get back to Philipopoulos. There's no forage for them on
the Sofia route. He goes toward the house. Come along.

(25:09):
Sergius is about to follow him when Catherine rises and intervenes. Catherine, Oh, Paul,
can't you spare Sergius for a few moments. Rayina has
hardly seen him yet. Perhaps I can help you to
settle about the regiments. Sergius protesting, my dear madam. Impossible, you, Catherine,

(25:31):
stopping him playfully. You stay here, my dear Sergius. There
is no hurry. I have a word or two to
say to Paul. Sergius instantly bows and steps back. Now, dear,
taking Petcof's arm, Come and see the electric bell, pet cough,
Oh very well, very well. They go into the house

(25:54):
together affectionately. Sergius, left alone with Rayena, looks anxiously at her,
fearing that she may still be offended. She smiles and
stretches out her arms to him exit right into house,
followed by Catherine, Sergius hastening to her, but refraining from
touching her without express permission. Am I forgiven? Rayena, placing

(26:19):
her hands on his shoulders as she looks up at
him with admiration and worship, My hero, my King, Sergius,
my queen. He kisses her on the forehead with holy Awe, Raena,
How I have envied you, Sergius. You have been out

(26:39):
in the world, on the field of battle, able to
prove yourself there worthy of any woman in the world,
whilst I have had to sit at home, inactive, dreaming, useless,
doing nothing that could give me the right to call
myself worthy of any man. Sergius, dearest, all my deeds

(26:59):
have been yours. You inspired me. I have gone through
the war like a night at a tournament with his
lady looking on at him Raina, and you have never
been absent from my thoughts for a moment. Very solemnly, Sergius,
I think we too have found the higher love. When

(27:22):
I think of you, I feel that I could never
do a base deed or think an ignoble thought. Sirgius,
my lady, and my saint clasping her reverently, Raina returning
his embrace. My Lord and my Sergius, sh let me

(27:43):
be the worshiper. Dear you little know how unworthy even
the best man is of a girl's pure passion. Raina,
I trust you, I love you. You will never disappoint me, Sergius,
Luca is heard saying within the house. They quickly release
each other. Hush. I can't pretend to talk indifferently before her.

(28:07):
My heart is too full. Luca comes from the house
with her tray. She goes to the table and begins
to clear it with her back turned to them. I
will go and get my hat, and then we can
go out into lunchtime. Wouldn't you like that? Sertius? Be quick.
If you are away five minutes, it will seem like

(28:29):
five hours. Raina runs to the top of the steps
and turns there to exchange a look with him and
wave him a kiss with both hands. He looks after
her with emotion for a moment, then turns slowly away,
his face radiant with the exultation of the scene which
has just passed. The movement shifts his field of vision

(28:54):
into the corner of which there now comes the tale
of Luca's double apron. His eyes gleams at once. He
takes a stealthy look at her and begins to twirl
his mustache nervously with his left hand, akimbo on his hip,
finally striking the ground with both heels in something of
a cavalry swagger. Strolls over to the left of the

(29:17):
table opposite her and says, Luca, do you know what
the Higher Love is? Luca astonished, No, sir, Sergius. Very
fatiguing thing to keep up for any length of time, Luca,
one feels the need of some relief after it, Luca innocently,

(29:38):
Perhaps you would like some coffee, sir. She stretches her
hand across the table for the coffee pot, Sergius taking
her hand. Thank you, Luca, Luca pretending to pull. Oh, sir,
you know I didn't mean that. I'm surprised at you,
Sergius coming clear of the table and drawing her with him.

(30:00):
I am surprised at myself, Luca. What would Sergius, the
hero of Slivnitza say if he saw me? Now? What
would Sergius, the apostle of the Higher Love say if
he saw me? Now? What would the half dozen Sergius's
who keep popping in and out of this handsome figure
of mine, say if they caught us here, letting go

(30:22):
her hand and slipping his arm dexterously round her waist,
do you consider my figure, handsome Luca? Luca, let me go, Sir,
I shall be disgraced. She struggles. He holds her inexorably.
Oh will you let go, Sergius, looking straight into her eyes. No, Luca,

(30:46):
then stand back where we can't be seen. Have you
no common sense? Sergius? Ah, that's reasonable. He takes her
into the stable yard gateway, where they are hidden from
the house. Luca complaining, I may have been seen from
the windows, miss Rain. It is sure to be spying
about after you, Sergius, stung, letting her go. Take care, Luca.

(31:12):
I may be worthless enough to betray the horror love,
but do not you insult it, Luca demurely. Not for
the world, sir, I'm sure. May I go on with
my work? Please now, Sergius again, putting his arm around her.
You are a provoking little witch, Luca. If you were

(31:34):
in love with me, would you spy out of windows
on me? Luca? Well, you see sir, since you say
you are a half dozen different gentlemen all at once,
I should have a great deal to look after. Sergius, charmed,
witty as well as pretty, He tries to kiss her,

(31:55):
Luca avoiding him. No, I don't want your kisses. Gentle
folk are all alike. You making love to me behind
Miss Rain is back, and she doing the same behind yours,
Sergius recarling a step Luca, Luca, it shows how little
you really care, Sergius, dropping his familiarity and speaking with

(32:20):
freezing politeness. If our conversation is to continue, Luca, you
will please remember that a gentleman does not discuss the
conduct of the lady he is engaged to with her maid, Luca,
It's so hard to know what a gentleman considers, right,
I thought from your trying to kiss me that you

(32:42):
had given up being so particular. Sergius, turning from her
and striking his forehead as he comes back into the
garden from the gateway. Devil, devil, Luca, ha ha, I
expect one of the six of you is very like me, sir,
though I am. Only Miss Rain is made. She goes

(33:05):
back to her work at the table, taking no further
notice of him, Sergius speaking to himself, Which of the
six is the real man? That's the question that torments me.
One of them is a hero, another a buffoon, another
a humbug, another perhaps a bit of a blackuird. He

(33:27):
pauses and looks furtively at Luca as he adds with
deep bitterness, and one at least is a coward, jealous
like all cowards. He goes to the table. Luca, Luca, Yes, Sergius,
who is my rival? Luca? You shall never get that

(33:50):
out of me for love or money? Sergius, Why, Luca?
Never mind? Why? Because you would tell that I I
told you, and I should lose my place. Sergius, holding
out his right hand in affirmation. No, on the honor
of a He checks himself, and his hand drops nervelessly

(34:13):
as he concludes sardonically, of a man capable of behaving
as I have been behaving for the last five minutes.
Who is he, Luca? I don't know. I never saw him.
I only heard his voice through the door of her room. Sergius,
damn nation, How dare you, Luca retreating? Oh? I mean

(34:38):
no harm. You've no right to take up my words
like that. The mistress knows all about it. And I
tell you that if that gentleman ever comes here again,
Miss Raina will marry him, whether he likes it or not.
I know the difference between the sort of manner you
and she put on before one another and the real manner.

(35:00):
Viergius shivers as if she had stabbed him. Then, setting
his face like iron, he strides grimly to her and
grips her above the elbows with both hands. Sergius, Now
listen you to me, Luca wincing, not so tight you're
hurting me, Sergius, that doesn't matter. You have stained my

(35:24):
honor by making me a party to your eavesdropping, and
you have betrayed your mistress. Luca writhing, please, Sergius, that
shows that you are an abominable little clod of common
clay with the soul of a servant. He lets her
go as if she were an unclean thing, and turns away,

(35:48):
dusting his hands of her, to the bench by the wall,
where he sits down with averted head, meditating gloomily. Luca
whimpering angrily with her hands up her sleeve, feeling her
bruised arms. You know how to hurt with your tongue
as well as with your hands. But I don't care.
Now I've found out that whatever clay I'm made of,

(36:10):
you're made of the same as for her. She's a
liar and her fine airs are a cheat, and I'm
worth six of her. She shakes the pain off heartily,
tosses her head, and sets to work to put the
things on the tray. He looks doubtfully at her once
or twice. She finishes packing the tray and laps the

(36:33):
cloth over the edges so as to carry all out together.
As she stoops to lift it, he rises Sertius Lucca.
She stops and looks defiantly at him, with the tray
in her hands. A gentleman has no right to hurt
a woman under any circumstances. With profound humility, uncovering his head,

(36:58):
I beg your pardon, Luca. That sort of apology may
satisfy a lady, of what use is it to a servant. Sergius,
thus rudely crossed in his chivalry, throws it off with
a bitter laugh and says, slightingly, oh, you wish to
be paid for the hurt. He puts on his shako

(37:20):
and takes some money from his pocket. Luca, her eyes
filling with tears in spite of herself, No, I want
my hurt made well, Sergius, sobered by her tone, how
she rolls up her left sleeve, clasps her arm with
the thumb and fingers of her right hand, and looks

(37:42):
down at the bruise. Then she raises her head and
looks straight at him. Finally, with a superb gesture, she
presents her arm to be kissed. Amazed, he looks at her,
at the arm, at her again, hesitates, and then, with
shuddering intensity, exclaims, Sergius never and gets away as far

(38:07):
as possible from her. Her arm drops without a word,
and with unaffected dignity. She takes her tray and its
approaching the house when Reina returns, wearing a hat and
jacket in the height of the Vienna fashion of the
previous year eighteen eighty five. Luca makes way proudly for her,

(38:28):
and then goes into the house. Reina, I'm ready. What's
the matter, Gaily? Have you been flirting with Luca Sergius hastily, No, No,
how can you think such a thing? Reina, ashamed of herself,
Forgive me, dear, it was only a jest. I am
so happy to day. He goes quickly to her and

(38:51):
kisses her hand remorsefully. Catherine comes out and calls to
them from the top of the steps. Catherine coming down
to them, I am sorry to disturb you children, But
Paul is distracted over those three regiments. He does not
know how to get them to Philipopoulos, and he objects
to every suggestion of mine. You must go and help him, Sergius.

(39:14):
He is in the library, Reina, disappointed. But we were
just going out for a walk, Sergius, I shall not
be long. Wait for me, just five minutes. He runs
up the steps to the door, Reina following him to
the foot of the steps and looking up at him
with timid coquetry. I shall go round and wait in

(39:37):
full view of the library windows. Be sure you draw
father's attention to me. If you are a moment longer
than five minutes, I shall go in and fetch you
regiments or no regiments. Sergius, laughing very well, he goes in.
Reina watches him until he is out of her sight. Then,

(39:58):
with a perceptible real life sation of manner, she begins
to pace up and down about the garden in a
brown study. Catherine, imagine their meeting. That's Swiss and hearing
the whole story. The very first thing your father asked
for was the old coat. We sent him off in
a nice mess. You've got us into. Raina gazing thoughtfully

(40:23):
at the gravel as she walks. The little beast, Catherine,
little beast? What little beast? Raina to go and tell? Oh,
if I had him here, I'd stuff him with chocolate
creams till he couldn't ever speak again. Catherine, don't talk nonsense.

(40:44):
Tell me the truth, Raina. How long was he in
your room before you came to me? Raina whisking round
and recommencing her march in the opposite direction. Oh, I forget, Catherine,
you cannot forget. Did he really climb up after the
soldiers were gone? Or was he there when that officer

(41:05):
searched the room? Reina? No, yes, I think he must
have been there then, Catherine, you think, oh, Reina, ray Ena,
will anything ever make you straight forward? If Sergius finds out,
it is all over between you, Reina with cool impertinence. Oh,

(41:26):
I know, Sergius is your pet. I sometimes wish you
could marry him instead of me. You would just suit him,
You would pet him and spoil him and mother him
to perfection. Catherine, opening her eyes very wildly. Indeed, well
upon my word, Reina capriciously after herself. I always feel

(41:50):
a longing to do or say something dreadful to him,
to shock his propriety, to scandalize the five senses out
of him. To Katherine, perversely, I don't care whether he
finds out about the chocolate cream soldier or not. I
half hope he may. She again turns flippantly away and

(42:11):
strolls up the path to the corner of the house. Catherine,
and what should I be able to say to your father? Pray,
Reina over his shoulder from the top of the two steps, Oh,
poor father, as if he could help himself. She turns
the corner and passes out of sight, Catherine looking after her,

(42:34):
her fingers itching, oh, if you were only ten years younger.
Luca comes from the house with a salver, which she
carries hanging down by her side. Well, Luca, there's a
gentleman just called madam, a servian officer, Catherine flaming a servian.

(42:56):
How dare he checking herself? Bitterly? Oh, oh, I forgot.
We are at peace. Now, I suppose we shall have
them calling every day to pay their compliments. Well, if
he is an officer, why don't you tell your master
he is in the library with Major Soronov. Why do
you come to me, Luca? But he s for you, Madam,

(43:20):
And I don't think he knows who you are, he
said the lady of the house. He gave me this
little ticket for you. She takes a card out of
her bosom, puts it on the salver, and offers it
to Catherine. Catherine, reading Captain Blunchley, that's a German name,
Luca Swiss, Madam, I think Katherine with a bound. That

(43:44):
makes Luca jump back Swiss. What is he like? Luca timidly?
He has a big carpet bag, Madam Catherine, Oh heavens,
he's come to return the coat. Send him away, say
we're not at home. Ask him to leave his address
and I'll write to him. Oh stop, that will never do. Wait.

(44:07):
She throws herself into a chair to think it out.
Luca waits. The Master and Major sadan Off are busy
in the library, aren't they, Luca, Yes, Madam Catherine decisively
bring the gentleman out here at once, imperatively, and be
very polite to him. Don't delay here impatiently snatching the

(44:30):
salver from her, leave that here and go straight back
to him. Luca, Yes, Madam going, Catherine, Luca, Luca stopping. Yes,
Madam Catherine. Is the library door shut? Luca, I think so,
Madam Catherine, if not shut it as you pass through, Luca, yes,

(44:53):
Madam going, Catherine stop, Luca stops. He will have to
go out that way, indicating the gait of the stable yard.
Tell Nicolott to bring his bag here after him. Don't forget, Luca,
surprised his bag. Catherine, Yes, here as soon as possible, vehemently,

(45:16):
be quick. Luca runs into the house. Catherine snatches her
apron off and throws it behind a bush. She then
takes up the salver and uses it as a mirror,
with the result that the handkerchief tied round her head
follows the apron. A touch to her hair and a
shake to her dressing gown makes her presentable. Oh how,

(45:37):
how how can a man be such a fool? Such
a moment to select. Luca appears at the door of
the house, announcing Captain blunchly and standing aside at the
top of the steps to let him pass before she
goes in again. He is the man of the adventure
in Raina's room. He is now clean, well brushed, smartly uniformed,

(46:02):
and out of trouble, but still unmistakably the same man.
The moment Luca's back is turned, Catherine swoops on him
with hurried, urgent, coaxing appeal. Captain Blunchley, I am very
glad to see you, but you must leave this house
at once, He raises his eyebrows. My husband has just

(46:25):
returned with my future son in law, and they know nothing.
If they did, the consequences would be terrible. You are
a foreigner. You do not feel our national animosities as
we do. We still hate the Servians. The only effect
of the peace on my husband is to make him
feel like a lion balked of his prey. If he

(46:47):
discovered our secret, he would never forgive me, and my
daughter's life would hardly be safe. Will you like these
chivalrous gentlemen and soldier you are leave it once before
he finds you here. Blunchly disappointed but philosophical at once,
Gracious Lady, I only came to thank you, and return
the coat you lent me, if you will allow me

(47:09):
to take it out of my bag and leave it
with your servant as I pass out. I need detain
you no further. He turns to go into the house,
Catherine catching him by the sleeve. Oh you must not
think of going back that way, coaxing him across to
the stable gates. This is the shortest way out. Many thanks,

(47:29):
so glad to have been of service to you. Goodbye, Blunchly.
But my bag, Catherine, it will be sent on. You
will leave me your address, Blunchly true, allow me. He
takes out his card case and stops to write his address,
keeping Katherine in an agony of impatience as he hands

(47:51):
her the card. Pet Cough, hatless rushes from the house,
and a fluster of hospitality, followed by Sergius pet Cough
as he hurries down the steps. My dear Captain Blunchlely. Catherine,
Oh heavens, she sinks on the seat against the wall.
Petkof too preoccupied to notice her as he shakes Blunchly's

(48:15):
hand heartily. Those stupid people of mine thought I was
out here instead of in the uugh library. He cannot
mention the library without betraying how proud he is of it.
I saw you through the window. I was wondering why
you didn't come in. So Ronov is with me. You
remember him, don't you. Sergius saluting humorously and then offering

(48:37):
his hand with great charm of manner. Welcome our friend,
the enemy, Petkough no longer the enemy, happily, rather anxiously.
I hope you've come as a friend and not on business. Catherine, Oh,
quite as a friend. Paul. I was just asking Captain
Blunchley to stay to lunch, but he declares he must

(49:00):
go at once. Sergius sardonically impossible, Blunchley, we want you
here badly. We have to send on three cavalry regiments
to Philipopoulos, and we don't in the least know how
to do it. Blunchley suddenly attentive and businesslike Philipopoulos. The

(49:22):
forage is the trouble, eh pet Cough eagerly, yes, that's it.
To Sergius, he sees the whole thing. At once, Blunchley,
I think I can show you how to manage that. Sergius,
invaluable man, come along. Towering over Blunchley, he puts his

(49:42):
hand on his shoulder and takes him to the steps.
Pet Cough following as Blunchley puts his foot on the
first step, Raina comes out of the house, Raina completely
losing her presence of mind. Oh, the chocolate cream soldier.
Blunchley stands rigid Sergius amazed, looks at Reina, then at Petkof,

(50:05):
who looks back at him, and then at his wife Catherine,
with commanding presence of mind. My dear Reina, don't you
see that we have a guest here, Captain Blenchley, one
of our new servian friends. Raina bows Blenchlely bows Reina.
How silly of me. She comes down into the center

(50:27):
of the group between Blunchley and pet Cough. I made
a beautiful ornament this morning for the ice pudding, and
that stupid Nikola has just put down a pile of
plates on it and spoiled it. To Blenchley, winningly, I
hope you didn't think that you were the chocolate cream soldier,
Captain Blunchley, Blunchley laughing, I assure you I did, stealing

(50:51):
a whimsical glance at her. Your explanation was a relief.
Pet Cough suspiciously to Reina, and since when, pray, have
you taken to cooking? Catherine? Oh, whilst you are away?
It's her latest fancy pet Cough testing and has Nikola

(51:12):
taken to drinking? He used to be careful enough. First
he shows Captain Blenchley out here when he knew quite
well I was in the hum library. And then he
goes downstairs and breaks rein his chocolate soldier. He must.
At this moment, Nicola appears at the top of the
steps right with a carpet bag. He descends, places it

(51:34):
respectfully before Blenchley and waits for further orders. General amazement. Nicola,
unconscious of the effect he is producing, looks perfectly satisfied
with himself. When pet Cough recovers his power of speech,
he breaks out at him with are you mad? Nikola?

(51:55):
Nicola taken aback, Sir pet Cough? What have you brought
that for? Niccola? My lady's orders, Sir Luca told me that,
Catherine interrupting him my orders? Why should I order you
to bring Captain Blenchley's luggage out here? What were you
thinking of? Niccola? Nikola, after a moment's bewilderment, picking up

(52:20):
the bag, as he addresses blunchly with the very perfection
of servile discretion. I beg your pardon, sir. I am
sure to Catherine my fault, Madam. I hope you'll overlook it.
He bows and is going to the steps with the
bag when Petkof addresses him angrily. Petkough, you'd better go
and slam that bag too down on miss rain as

(52:42):
ice pudding. This is too much for Niccola. The bag
drops from his hands on Petkoff's corns, eliciting a roar
of anguish from him. Begone, you, butter fingered donkey Nikola,
snatching up the bag and escaping into the house. Yes, sir, Catherine,

(53:02):
Oh never mind, Paul, don't be angry Petkof, muttering scoundrel.
He's got out of hand while I was away. I'll
teach him recollecting his guests. Oh well, never mind, come Blenchley,
let us have no more nonsense about you having to
go away. You know very well you're not going back

(53:22):
to Switzerland yet. Until you do go back, you'll stay
with us. Reina, Oh do Captain Blenchley. Petkof to Catherine. Now, Catherine,
it's of you that he's afraid press him and he'll stay. Catherine,
of course, I shall be only too delighted if appealingly

(53:43):
Captain Blenchley really wishes to stay. He knows my wishes. Blenchley,
in his driest military manner, I am at Madame's orders,
Sergius cordially. That settles it, pet cough heartily. Of course, Reina,

(54:03):
you see you must stay, blunchly smiling well. If I must,
I must gesture of despair from Catherine. End of Act
two