Arms and The Man - George Bernard Shaw - Classic Drama Audiobooks

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Act one night. A ladies bedchamber in Bulgaria, in a
small town near the Dragoman Pass. It is late in
November the year eighteen eighty five, and through an open
window with a little balcony on the left can be
seen a peak of the Balkans, wonderfully white and beautiful

(00:22):
in the starlit snow. The interior of the room is
not like anything to be seen in the East of Europe.
It is half rich Bulgarian, half cheap Viennese. The counterpane
and hangings of the bed, the window curtains, the little carpet,
and all the ornamental textile fabrics in the room are

(00:42):
oriental and gorgeous. The paper on the wall is occidental
and paltry. Above the head of the bed, which stands
against a little wall cutting off the right hand corner
of the room diagonally is a painted wooden shrine blue
and gold, with an ivory image of Christ and a

(01:03):
light hanging before it in a pierced metal ball suspended
by three chains. On the left. Further forward is an ottoman.
The washstand against the wall on the left consists of
an enameled iron basin with a pale beneath it in
a painted metal frame, and a single towel on the
rail at the side. A chair near it is Austrian

(01:25):
bent wood with cane seat. The dressing table between the
bed and the window is an ordinary pine table covered
with a cloth of many colors, but with an expensive
tarilet mirror on it. The door is on the right
and there is a chest of drawers between the door
and the bed. This chest of drawers is also covered

(01:48):
by a variegated native cloth, and on it there is
a pile of paper backed novels, a box of chocolate creams,
and a miniature easel, on which is a large photograph
of an extremely handsome officer, whose lofty bearing and magnetic
glance can be felt even from the portrait. The room
is lighted by a candle on the chest of drawers

(02:10):
and another on the dressing table, with a box of
matches beside it. The window is hinged doorwise and stands
wide open, folding back to the left. Outside a pair
of wooden shutters opening outwards also stand open. On the balcony.
A young woman intensely conscious of the romantic beauty of

(02:32):
the night, and of the fact that her own youth
and beauty is a part of it. Is on the balcony,
gazing at the snowy Balkans. She is covered by a
long mantle of furs worth on a moderate estimate, about
three times the furniture of her room. Her reverie is
interrupted by her mother, Katherine Petkoff, a woman over forty,

(02:55):
imperiously energetic, with magnificent black hair and eyes, who might
be a very splendid specimen of the wife of a
mountain farmer, but is determined to be a Viennese lady.
And to that end, where is a fashionable tea gown
on all occasions? Catherine entering hastily full of good news. Ryena.

(03:18):
She pronounces it Ryena with the stress on the e reena.
She goes to the bed, expecting to find Ryina there.
Why where Ryena looks into the room. Heavens, child, are
you out in the night air instead of in your bed?
You catch your death? Luca told me you were asleep,

(03:38):
Ryena coming in? I sent her away. I want you
to be alone. The stars are so beautiful. What is
the matter, Katherine? Such news? There has been a battle
Raina her eyes dilating ah, she throws the cloak on
the ottoman, then comes eagerly to Catherine in her nightgown,

(04:02):
a pretty garment, but evidently the only one she has
on Catherine, A great battle at Slivnitza, a victory, and
it was won by Sergius. Raina with a cry of
the light. Ah rapturously, oh mother, Then with sudden anxiety,

(04:23):
is father safe? Catherine? Of course he sent me the news.
Sergius is the hero of the hour, the idol of
the regiment, Raina, tell me, tell me how was it? Ecstatically,
Oh mother, mother, Mother, Raina pulls her mother down on
the ottoman and they kiss one another frantically, Katherine, with

(04:48):
searching enthusiasm. You can't guess how splendid it is? A
cavalry charge. Think of that he defied our Russian commanders,
acted without orders, led a charge on his own responsibility,
headed it himself, was the first man to sweep through
their guns. Can't you see it, Reina, Our gallant, splendid

(05:11):
Bulgarians with their swords and eyes flashing, thundering down like
an avalanche and scattering the wretched Servian dandies like chaff.
And you you kept Sergius waiting a year before you
would be betrothed to him. Oh, if you have a
drop of Bulgarian blood in your veins, you will worship

(05:31):
him when he comes back. Raina, What will he care
for my poor little worship after the acclamations of a
whole army of heroes. But no matter, I am so happy,
so proud. She rises and walks about excitedly. It proves
that all our ideas were real after all, Catherine, indignantly,

(05:56):
Our idea is real. What do you mean right? Our
ideas of what Sergius would do? Our patriotism, our heroic ideals. Oh,
what faithless little creature's girls are. I sometimes used to
doubt whether they were anything but dreams. When I buckled

(06:16):
on Sergius's sword, he looked so noble. It was treason
to think of disillusion, our humiliation, our failure. And yet,
and yet, quickly promise me you'll never tell him, Catherine,
don't ask me for promises until I know what I
am promising. Rhina, Well, it came into my head, just

(06:39):
as he was holding me in his arms and looking
into my eyes, that perhaps we only had our heroic
ideas because we are so fond of reading Byron and pushkin,
and because we were so delighted with the opera that
season at Bucharist. Real life is so seldom like that, indeed,
never as far as I knew it. Thenmorsefully, only thank Mother,

(07:03):
I doubted him. I wondered whether all his heroic qualities
and his soldiership might not prove mere imagination when he
went into a real battle, I had an uneasy fear
that he might cut a poor figure there beside all
those clever Russian officers, Catherine, a poor figure. Shame on you.

(07:26):
The Serbians have Austrian officers who are just as clever
as our Russians. But we have beaten them in every battle.
For all that raina laughing and sitting down again, Yes,
that was only a prosaic little coward, Oh, to think
that it was all true that Sergius is just as
splendid and noble as he looks, That the world is

(07:49):
really a glorious world for women who can see its
glory and men who can act its romance. What happiness,
what unspeakable fulfillment? Ah. She throws herself on her knees
beside her mother, and flings her arms passionately round her.
They are interrupted by the entry of Luca, a handsome,

(08:12):
proud girl in a very pretty Bulgarian peasant's dress with
double apron, so defiant that her civility to Reina is
almost insolent. She is afraid of Catherine, but even with her,
goes as far as she dares. She is just now
excited like the others, but she has no sympathy for

(08:32):
Raina's raptures, and looks contemptuously at the ecstasies of the
two before she addresses them. Lucan, if you please, madam,
all the windows are to be closed and the shutters
made fast. They say there may be shooting in the streets.
Verena and Catherine rise together alarmed. The servians are being

(08:55):
chased right back through the pass, and they say they
may run into the town. Our cavalry will be after them,
and our people will be ready for them. You may
be sure now that they are running away. She goes
out on the balcony and pulls the outside shutters too,
then steps back into the room. Raina, I wish our

(09:17):
people were not so cruel. What glory is there in
killing wretched fugitives? Catherine business like her housekeeping instincts aroused
I must see that everything is made safe downstairs. To Luca.
Leave the shutters so that I can just close them
if I hear any noise, Catherine authoritatively, turning on her

(09:41):
way to the door. Oh no, dear, you must keep
them fastened. You would be sure to drop off to
sleep and leave them open and make them fast Luca. Luca, yes, madam,
She fastens them. Rayina, don't be anxious about me. The
moment I hear a shot, I shall blow out the

(10:02):
candles and roll myself up in bed with my ears
well covered. Catherine. Quite the wisest thing you can do,
my love. Good night, Rayina, good night. They kiss one another,
and Ryena's emotion comes back for a moment. Wish me
joy of the happiest night of my life. If only
there are no fugitives. Catherine go to bed, dear, and

(10:26):
don't think of them. She goes out. Luca secretly to Ryina,
if you would like the shutters open, just give them
a push like this. She pushes them. They open, She
pulls them to again. One of them ought to be
bolted at the bottom, but the bolt's gone. Raina, with
dignity reproving her thanks Luca, but we must do what

(10:50):
we are told. Luca makes a grimace. Good night, Luca
carelessly good night. She goes out swagger. Raina, left alone,
goes to the chest of drawers and adores the portrait
there with feelings that are beyond all expression. She does
not kiss it, or press it to her breast, or

(11:12):
show it any mark of bodily affection, but she takes
it in her hands and elevates it like a priestess,
Raina looking up at the picture with worship. Oh, I
shall never be unworthy of you anymore, my hero, never, never, never.
She replaces it reverently and selects a novel from the

(11:34):
little pile of books. She turns over the leaves dreamily
finds her page, turns the book inside out at it,
and then, with a happy sigh, gets into bed and
prepares to read herself to sleep. But before abandoning her
self to fiction, she raises her eyes once more, thinking
of the blessed reality, and murmurs, my hero, My hero.

(12:03):
A distant shot breaks the quiet of the night outside.
She starts listening, and two more shots much nearer follow
startling her so that she scrambles out of bed and
hastily blows out the candle on the chest of drawers. Then,
putting her fingers in her ears, she runs to the
dressing table and blows out the light there, and hurries

(12:24):
back to bed. The room is now in darkness. Nothing
is visible but the glimmer of the light in the
pierced ball before the image, and the starlight seen through
the slits at the top of the shutters. The firing
breaks out again. There is a startling fusillade quite close
at hand. Whilst it is still echoing, the shutters disappear,

(12:47):
pulled open from without, and for an instant the rectangle
of snowy starlight flashes out, with the figure of a
man in black upon it. The shutters close immediately and
the room is dark again, but the silence is now
broken by the sound of panting. Then there is a scrape,
and the flame of a match is seen in the

(13:08):
middle of the room. Raina crouching on the bed. Who's there?
The match is out instantly? Who's there? Who is that?
A man's voice in the darkness, subduedly but threateningly, sh sh,
don't call out, or you'll be shot. Be good and
no harm will happen to you. She is heard leaving

(13:30):
her bed and making for the door. Take care, there's
no use in trying to run away. Remember, if you
raise your voice, my pistol will go off commandingly. Strike
a light and let me see you. Do you hear
another moment of silence and darkness. Then she is heard
retreating to the dressing table. She lights a candle, and

(13:53):
the mystery is at an end. A man of about
thirty five, in a deplorable light be spattered with mud
and blood and snow, his belt and the strap of
his revolver case keeping together the torn ruins of the
blue coat of a servian artillery officer. As far as
the candlelight and his unwashed, unkempt condition make it possible

(14:14):
to judge. He is a man of middling stature and
undistinguished appearance, with strong neck and shoulders, a roundish, obstinate
looking head, covered with short, crisp bronze curls, clear quick
blue eyes, and good brows and mouth, a hopelessly prosaic
nose like that of a strong minded baby trim soldier,

(14:35):
like carriage and energetic manner, and with all his widths
about him in spite of his desperate predicament, even with
a sense of humor of it, without, however, the least
intention of trifling with it or throwing away a chance.
He reckons up what he can guess about Rhina, her age,
her social position, her character, the extent to which he

(14:56):
is frightened at a glance, and continues more politely, but
still more determinedly. Excuse my disturbing you, but you recognize
my uniform servian. If I am caught, I shall be
killed determinedly. Do you understand that Raina? Yes? Man, Well,

(15:19):
I don't intend to get killed if I can help it?
Still more determinedly, do you understand that he locks the
door with a snap? Raina disdainfully? I suppose not. She
draws herself up superbly and looks him straight in the face, saying,
with emphasis, Some soldiers I know are afraid of death,

(15:43):
man with grim, good humor, all of them, dear lady,
all of them believe me. It is our duty to
live as long as we can and kill as many
of the enemy as we can. Now, if you raise
an alarm, Raina, cutting him short, you will shoot me.
How do you know that I am afraid to die?
Man cunningly? Ah, But suppose I don't shoot you. What

(16:08):
will happen then, why A lot of your cavalry, the
greatest blackbirds in your army, will burst into this pretty
room of yours and slaughter me here like a pig.
For I'll fight like a demon. They shan't get me
into the street to amuse themselves with. I know what
they are. Are you prepared to receive that sort of

(16:29):
company in your present undress? Raina, suddenly conscious of her
night gown, instinctively shrinks and gathers it more closely about her.
He watches her and adds, pitilessly, it's rather a scanty a.
She turns to the ottoman. He raises his pistol instantly
and cries, stop. She stops, where are you going? Raina,

(16:55):
with dignified patience, only to get my cloak? Man darting
to the ottoman and snatching the cloak A good idea. No,
I'll keep the cloak, and you will take care that
nobody comes in and sees you without it. This is
a better weapon than the pistol. He throws the pistol

(17:16):
down on the ottoman. Raina revolted. It is not the
weapon of a gentleman man. It's good enough for a
man with only you to stand between him and death.
As they look at one another for a moment, Raina
hardly able to believe that even a servian officer can
be so cynically and selfishly unchivalrous, they are startled by

(17:40):
a sharp fusillade in the street. The chill of imminent
death hushes the man's voice as he adds, do you
hear if you are going to bring those scoundrels in
on me, you shall receive them as you are Reina
meets his eye with unflinching scorn. Suddenly he starts listening.

(18:01):
There is a step outside. Someone tries the door and
then knocks hurriedly and urgently at it. Raina looks at
the man breathless. He throws up his head with the
gesture of a man who sees that it is all
over with him, and, dropping the manner which he has
been assuming to intimidate her, flames the cloak to her, exclaiming,
sincerely and kindly, ah, no use, I'm done for Quick,

(18:25):
wrap yourself up, they're coming, Raina, catching the cloak eagerly,
Oh thank you. She wraps herself up with great relief.
He draws his saber and turns to the door, waiting
Luca outside knocking. My lady, My lady, get up quick
and open the door. Raina anxiously. What will you do?

(18:49):
Man grimly, never mind, keep out of the way. It
will not last long. Raina impulsively, I'll help you. Hide yourself, Oh,
hide yourself quick behind the curtain. She seizes him by
a torn strip of his sleeve and pulls him towards
the window. Man yielding to her, There is just half

(19:11):
a chance if you keep your head. Remember, nine soldiers
out of ten are born fools. He hides behind the curtain,
looking out for a moment to say, finally, if they
find me, I promise you a fight, A devil of
a fight. He disappears. Raina takes off the cloak and
throws it across the foot of the bed. Then, with

(19:34):
a sleepy, disturbed air, she opens the door. Luca enters excitedly. Luca,
a man has been seen climbing up the water pipe
to your balcony, a servian. The soldiers want to search
for him, and they are so wild and drunk and furious.
My lady says, you are to dress at once. Raina,
as if annoyed at being disturbed. They shall not search here.

(19:58):
Why have they been let in? Catherine coming in hastily, Raina, darling,
are you safe? Have you seen any one or heard anything? Raina?
I heard the shooting. Surely the soldiers will not dare
come in here, Catherine, I have found a Russian officer.
Thank Heaven, he knows Sergius speaking through the door to

(20:20):
some one outside. Sir, will you come in now? My
daughter is ready. A young Russian officer in Bulgarian uniform
enters sword in hand, the officer with soft, feline politeness
and stiff military carriage. Good evening, gracious lady. I am
sorry to intrude, but there is a fugitive hiding on

(20:40):
the balcony. Will you and the gracious lady your mother
please to withdraw whilst we search. Raina petulantly nosense, Sir,
you can see there is no one on the balcony.
She throws the shutters wide open and stands with her
back to the curtain where the man is hidden, pointing
to the moonlit balc A couple of shots are fired

(21:03):
right under the window, and the bullet shatters the glass
opposite Raina, who winks and gasps, but stands her ground,
while Catherine screams and the officer rushes to the balcony.
The officer on the balcony shouting savagely down to the street,
cease firing there, you fools, do you hear? Cease firing?
Damn you? He glares down for a moment, then turns

(21:26):
to Roena, trying to resume his polite manner. Could anyone
have got in without your knowledge? Were you asleep? Rayena? No,
I have not been to bed. The officer impatiently, coming
back into the room. Your neighbors have their heads so
full of runaway servians that they see them everywhere. Politely, gracious,

(21:50):
lady A thousand pardons good night, military bow, which Raina
returns coldly, another to Catherine, who follows him out. Reina
closes the shutters. She turns and sees Luca, who has
been watching the scene curiously. Reina, don't leave my mother, Luca,

(22:10):
whilst the soldiers are here. Luca glances at Reyena, at
the ottoman at the curtain, then purses her lips, secretively,
laughs to herself and goes out. Raina follows her to
the door, shuts it behind her with a slam, and
locks it violently. The man immediately steps out from behind

(22:31):
the curtain, sheathing his saber and dismissing the danger from
his mind in a business like way. Man, a narrow shave,
but a miss is as good as a mile. Dear
young lady, your servant until death, I wish for your
sake I had joined the Bulgarian army instead of the Servian.
I am not a native Servian, Reina, haughtily, No, you

(22:54):
are one of the Austrians who set the Servians on
to rob us of our national liberty, and who offer
her their army for them. We hate them, man, Austrian.
Not I don't hate me, dear young lady. I'm only
as Swiss, fighting merely as a professional soldier. I joined
servia because it was nearest to me. Be generous. You've

(23:17):
beaten us, hollow, Reina, Have I not been generous? Man? Noble, heroic?
But I'm not saved yet. This particular rush will soon
pass through, but the pursuit will go on all night
by fits and starts. I must take my chance to
get off during a quiet interval. You don't mind my

(23:39):
waiting just a minute or two, do you, Reina? Oh? No,
I am sorry. You will have to go into danger again,
motioning towards ottoman, who won't you sit, She breaks off
with an irrepressible cry of alarm. As she catches sight
of the pistol. The man all nerves shies a frightened

(24:00):
horse man irritably, don't frighten me like that. What is it, Reina,
your pistol? It was staring that officer in the face
all the time. What an escape man vexed at being
unnecessarily terrified? Oh is that all? Reina staring at him

(24:22):
rather superciliously, conceiving a poorer and poor opinion of him,
and feeling proportionately more and more at her ease with him.
I am sorry, I frightened you. She takes up the
pistol and hands it to him. Pray, take it to
protect yourself against me. Man grinning wearily at the sarcasm

(24:43):
as he takes the pistol, No use, dear young lady,
there is nothing in it. It's not loaded. He makes
a grimace at it and drops it disparagingly into his
revolver case. Reina, loaded by all means man, I I
have no ammunition. What use are cartridges in battle? I

(25:04):
always carry chocolate instead, and I finished the last cake
of that yesterday. Raina outraged in her most cherished ideals
of manhood chocolate. Do you stuff your pockets with sweets
like a schoolboy even in a field? Man? Yes, isn't
it contemptible? Raina stares at him, unable to utter her feelings.

(25:30):
Then she sails away scornfully to the chest of drawers
and returns with a box of confectionery in her hand.
Raina allow me. I am sorry. I've eaten them all
except these. She offers him the box man ravenously. You're
an angel. He gobbles the comforts creams delicious. He looks

(25:55):
anxiously to see whether there are any more. There are none,
ups the inevitable with pathetic good humor, and says, with
grateful emotion, bless you, dear lady. You can always tell
an old soldier by the insides of his holsters and
cartridge boxes. The young ones carry pistols and cartridges. The

(26:15):
old ones grub Thank you. He hands back the box.
She snatches it contemptuously from him and throws it away.
This impatient action is so sudden that he shies again. Oh,
don't do things so suddenly gracious lady, don't revenge yourself
because I've frightened you just now. Rayna, superbly frighten me.

(26:41):
Do you know, sir, that though I am only a woman,
I think I am at heart as brave as you man.
I should think so. You haven't been under fire for
three days as I have. I can stand two days
without showing it much, but no man can stand three days.

(27:01):
I'm as nervous as a mouse. He sits down on
the ottoman and takes his head in his hands. Would
you like to see me cry? Reina quickly? No, man,
If you would, all you have to do is to
scold me, just as if I were a little boy

(27:21):
in you my nurse. If I were in camp now,
they'd play all sorts of tricks on me. Reina a
little moved, I'm sorry, I won't scold you. Touched by
the sympathy in her tone, he raises his head and
looks gratefully at her. She immediately draws back, insistively. You

(27:42):
must excuse me. Our soldiers are not like that. She
moves away from the ottoman. Man, oh, yes they are.
There are only two sorts of soldiers, old ones and
young ones. I've served fourteen years. Half of your fellows
never smelt powder before. Why how is it that you've

(28:04):
beaten us? Sheer ignorance of the art of war? Nothing
else indignantly, I never saw anything so unprofessional, Raina, ironically, Oh,
was it unprofessional to beat you? Man? Well? Come, is
it professional to throw a regiment of cavalry on a

(28:27):
battery of machine guns with the dead certainty that if
the guns go off, not a horse or man will
ever get within fifty yards of the fire. I couldn't
believe my eyes when I saw it, Raina, eagerly turning
to him as all her enthusiasm and her dream of
glory rushed back on her. Did you see the great

(28:50):
cavalry charge? Oh? Tell me about it? Describe it to me. Man,
You never saw a cavalry charge, did you, Reina? How
could I? Man? Ah? Perhaps not, of course. Well it's
a funny sight. It's like slinging a handful of peas
against a windowpane. First one comes, then two or three

(29:14):
close behind him, and then all the rest in a lump, Reina,
her eyes dilating as she raises her clasped hands ecstatically. Yes,
first one, the bravest of the brave man prosaically. Hmm.
You should see the poor devil pulling at his horse, Reina,

(29:37):
Why should he pull at his horse? Man? Impatient of
so stupid a question. It's running away with him, of course.
Do you suppose the fellow wants to get there before
the others and be killed? Then they all come. You
can tell the young ones by their wildness and their slashing.
The old ones come bunched up under the number one guard.

(30:00):
They know that they are mere projectiles, and that it's
no use trying to fight. The wounds are mostly broken
knees from the horse's cannoning together. Raina, Oh, but I
don't believe the first man is a coward. I believe
he is a hero man, good humoredly. That's what you'd

(30:21):
have said if you'd seen the first man in the
charge today, Reina, breathless, Ah, I knew it. Tell me,
tell me about him man. He did it like an
operatic tenor, a regular handsome fellow with flashing eyes and
the lovely mustache, shouting a war cry and charging like

(30:42):
don Quixote at the windmills. We nearly burst with laughter
at him. But when the sergeant ran up as white
as a sheet, and told us they'd sent us the
wrong cartridges, and that we couldn't fire a shot for
the next ten minutes. We laughed at the other side
of our mouths. I never felt so sick in my life,

(31:02):
though I've been in one or two very tight places,
and I hadn't even a revolver cartridge. Nothing but chocolate.
We'd know bayonets nothing. Of course, they just cut us
to bits. And there was Don Quixote, flourishing like a
drum major, thinking he'd done the cleverest thing ever known,

(31:24):
whereas he ought to be court martial for it. Of
all the fools ever let loose on a field of battle,
that man must be the very maddest. He and his
regiment simply committed suicide. Only the pistol missed fire. That's all.
Raina deeply wounded but steadfastly loyal to her ideals. Indeed,

(31:49):
would you know him again? If you saw him? Man?
Shall I ever forget him? She again goes to the
chest of drawers. He watches her with a vague hope
that she may have something else for him to eat.
She takes the portrait from its stand and brings it
to him. Raina that is a photograph of the gentleman,

(32:11):
the patriot and hero to whom I am betrothed. Man,
looking at it, I'm really very sorry looking at her.
Was it fair to lead me on? He looks at
the portrait again. Yes, that's him, not a doubt of it.
He stifles a laugh, Reina, quickly, why do you laugh? Man, shamefacedly,

(32:37):
but still greatly tickled. I didn't laugh, I assure you,
at least I didn't mean to. But when I think
of him charging the windmills and thinking he was doing
the finest thing, chokes with suppressed laughter. Raina sternly give
me back the portrait, sir Man, with sincere remorse. Of course, certainly,

(33:01):
I'm really very sorry. She deliberately kisses it and looks
him straight in the face, before returning to the chest
of drawers to replace it. He follows her, apologizing, perhaps
I'm quite wrong. You know, no doubt I am. Most
likely he got wind of the cartridge business somehow and
knew it was a safe job, Reina. That is to

(33:25):
say he was a pretender and a coward. You did
not dare say that before, Man, with a comic gesture
of despair. It's no use, dear lady, I can't make
you see it from the professional point of view. As
he turns away to get back to the ottoman, the
firing begins again in the distance. Reina sternly as she

(33:48):
sees him, listening to the shots. So much the better
for you, man turning how Reina, you are my enemy
and you are at my mercy. What would I do
if I were a professional soldier? Man? Ah, true, dear

(34:09):
young lady, You're always right. I know how good you
have been to me to my last hour. I shall
remember those three chocolate creams. It was unsoldierly, but it
was angelic. Rna coldly thank you, and now I will
do the soldiery thing. You cannot stay here after what

(34:31):
you have just said about my future husband, But I
will go out on the balcony and see whether it
is safe for you to climb down into the street.
She turns to the window man changing countenance. Down that
water pipe. Stop. Wait, I can't, I daren't. The very
thought of it makes me giddy. I came up it

(34:52):
fast enough with death behind me, but to face it
now in cold blood? He sinks on the ottoman. It's
no use, I give up I'm beaten. Give the alarm.
He drops his head in his hands in the deepest dejection. Rayina,

(35:12):
disarmed by pity. Come, don't be disheartened. She stoops over him,
almost maternally. He shakes his head. Oh, you are a
very poor soldier, a chocolate cream soldier. Come cheer up.
It takes less courage to climb down than to face capture,
remember that man, dreamily lulled by her voice. No, capture

(35:38):
only means death, and death is sleep. Oh, sleep, sleep, sleep,
undisturbed sleep. Ah, Climbing down the pipe means doing something,
exerting myself, thinking death ten times over first, Reina softly
and wonderingly, catching the rhythm of his weary Are you

(36:01):
so sleepy as that man? I've not had two hours
undisturbed sleep since the war began. I'm on the staff.
You don't know what that means. I haven't closed my
eyes for thirty six hours. Raina desperately. But what am

(36:21):
I to do with you man staggering up? Of course
I must do something. He shakes himself, pulls himself together,
and speaks with rallied vigor and courage. You see sleep hard,
no sleep, hunger or no hunger, tired or not tired.
You can always do a thing when you know it

(36:43):
must be done well. That pipe must be got down.
He hits himself on the chest and adds, do you
hear that? You chocolate cream soldier. He turns to the window.
Raina anxiously. But if you fall, man, I shall sleep

(37:03):
as if the stones were a featherbed. Goodbye. He makes
boldly for the window, and his hand is on the
shutter when there is a terrible burst of firing in
the street beneath Raina. Rushing to him, stop. She catches
him by the shoulder and turns him quite round. They'll
kill you, man, coolly but attentively. Never mind, this sort

(37:28):
of thing is all in my day's work. I'm bound
to take my chance decisively. Now do what I tell you.
Put out the candles so that they shan't see the
light when I open the shutters, and keep away from
the window. Whatever you do. If they see me, they're
sure to have a shot at me, Reina clinging to him.

(37:49):
They're sure to see you. It's bright moonlight. I'll save you. Oh,
how can you be so indifferent? You want me to
save you, don't you? Man? I really don't want to
be troublesome. She shakes him in her impatience. I am
not indifferent, dear young lady, I assure you. But how

(38:10):
is it to be done, Reina? Come away from the window, please?
She coaxes him back to the middle of the room.
He submits humbly. She releases him and addresses him patronizingly. Now, listen,
you must trust to our hospitality. You do not yet
know in whose house you are. I am a pet

(38:32):
cough Man. What's that, Reina? Rather indignantly, I mean that
I belong to the family of the pet Coughs, the
richest and best known in our country. Man, Oh, yes,
of course, I beg your pardon, the pet Coughs, to
be sure. How stupid of me, Reina, You know you

(38:56):
never heard of them until this minute. How can you
stoop to pretend? Man, forgive me, I'm too tired to think,
and the change of subject was too much for me.
Don't scold me, Rain, I forgot. It might make you cry.
He nods quite seriously. She pouts, and then resumes her

(39:18):
patronizing tone. I must tell you that my father holds
the highest command of any Bulgarian in our army. He
is proudly a major man pretending to be deeply impressed
a major. Bless me. Think of that rain. You showed

(39:39):
great ignorance in thinking that it was necessary to climb
up to the balcony. Because ours is the only private
house that has two rows of windows. There is a
flight of stairs inside to get up and down by
man stairs. How grand you live in great luxury? Indeed,
dear young lady, do you know what a library is, Man?

(40:06):
A library, a room full of books, Reina. Yes, we
have one, the only one in Bulgaria, Man, actually a
real library. I should like to see that, Reina. Affectively,
I tell you these things to show you that you
are not in the house of ignorant country folk who

(40:27):
would kill you the moment they saw your surveyan uniform,
but among civilized people. We go to Bucharest every year
for the opera season, and I have spent a whole
month in Vienna. Man. I saw that, dear young lady,
I saw it once that you knew the world, Reina.

(40:48):
Have you ever seen the opera of Ernani? Man? Is
that the one with the devil in it? In red
velvet and a soldier's chorus, Reina can temptuously no, man,
stifling a heavy sigh of weariness. Then I don't know it, Reina.

(41:10):
I thought you might have remembered the great scene where
er Nani, flying from his foes, just as you are tonight,
takes refuge in the castle of his bitterest enemy and
old Castilian noble. The noble refuses to give him up.
His guest is sacred to him. Man, quickly waking a little.

(41:30):
Have your people got that notion? Reina? With dignity? My
mother and I can understand that notion, as you call it.
But if instead of threatening me with your pistol as
you did, you had simply thrown yourself as a fugitive
on our hospitality, you would have been as safe as
in your father's house. Man, quite sure, Reina, turning her

(41:56):
back on him in disgust. Oh, it is useless to
try to make you understand, man, don't be angry. You
see how awkward it would be for me if there
was any mistake. My father is a very hospitable man.
He keeps six hotels, but I couldn't trust him as
far as that. What about your father, Reina? He is

(42:20):
away in Slivnitza fighting for his country. I answer for
your safety. There is my hand in pledge of it.
Will that reassure you? She offers him her hand man
looking dubiously at his own hand. Better not touch my hand,
dear young lady, I must have a wash first, Reina touched.

(42:43):
That is very nice of you. I see that you
are a gentleman. Man puzzled a Reina, You must not
think I am surprised. Bulgarians of really good standing people
in our position wash their hands nearly every day. But
I appreciate your delicacy. You may take my hand, She

(43:06):
offers it again, man kissing it with his hands behind
his back. Thanks, gracious, young lady. I feel safe at last,
And now would you mind breaking the news to your mother?
I had better not stay here secretly longer than is necessary, Reina,
If you will be so good as to keep perfectly

(43:28):
still whilst I am away, man certainly, he sits down
on the ottoman. Reina goes to the bed and wraps
herself in the fur cloak. His eyes close, she goes
to the door, but on turning for a last look
at him, sees that he is dropping off to sleep.

(43:48):
Raina at the door. You are not going asleep, or you,
he murmurs inarticulately. She runs to him and shakes him.
Do you hear wake up? You are falling asleep? Man, eh,
falling asleep? Oh no, not the least in the world.
I was only thinking. It's all right. I'm wide awake,

(44:13):
rain severely. Will you please stand up while I am away?
He rises reluctantly, all the time, mind, man, standing unsteadily. Certainly,
certainly you may depend on me. Raina looks doubtfully at him.
He smiles foolishly. She goes reluctantly, turning again at the

(44:37):
door and almost catching him in the act of yawning.
She goes out, Man drowsily, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep Siley.
The words trail off into a murmur. He wakes again
with a shock, on the point of falling. Where am I?

(44:57):
That's what I want to know? Where am I? Must
keep awake? Nothing keeps me awake except danger? Remember that
intently danger? Danger? Danger? Where's danger? Must find it? He
starts off vaguely around the room in search of it.
What am I looking for? Sleep? Danger? Don't know? He

(45:23):
stumbles against the bed. Ah, yes, now I know, all right?
Now I'm to go to bed, but not to sleep.
Be sure, not to sleep because of danger. Not to
lie down either, only sit down. He sits on the bed.
A blissful expression comes into his face. Ah, with a

(45:47):
happy sigh. He sinks back at full length, lifts his
boots into the bed with a final effort, and falls
fast asleep instantly. Catherine comes in, followed by Raina. Raina
looking at the ottoman. He's gone. I left him here,
Catherine here, then he must have climbed down from the

(46:10):
Raina seeing him, Oh, she points Catherine, scandalized well, she
strides to the left side of the bed, Raina following
and standing opposite her on the right. He's fast asleep,
the brute Raina anxiously sh Catherine shaking him, Sir, shaking

(46:34):
him again, harder, Sir, vehemently shaking very hard, Sir, Raina
catching her arm. Don't, Mamma, the poor dear is worn out.
Let him sleep, Catherine, letting him go and turning amazed
to Reina. The poor dear ray Ena. She looks sternly

(46:55):
at her daughter. The man sleeps profoundly. End of Act one,
Act two, the sixth of March eighteen eighty six. In
the garden of Major Petkoff's house. It is a fine

(47:15):
spring morning 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

(47:36):
a garden door reached by a little flight of steps.
On 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.

(47:56):
Along the front in the middle, a small table with
two bent wood chairs at it is laid for breakfast
with Turkish coffee, pot cups, rolls, et cetera, but the
cups have been used in the bread broken. There is
a wooden garden seat against the wall. On the left.
Luka smoking a cigarette is standing between the table and

(48:18):
the house, turning her back with angry disdain on a
man servant 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

(48:42):
white Bulgarian costume jacket with decorated border, sash, wide knickerbuckers
and decorated garters. His head is shaved up to the crown,
giving him a high Japanese forehead. His name is Nikola.
Nikolon warned in time, Luca, mend your manners. I know

(49:03):
the mistress. 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? Nicola? If

(49:24):
you quarrel with the family, I can never marry you.
It's the same as if you quarreled with me. Luca,
you take her part against me, do you? Niccola 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.

(49:47):
Their bad word would ruin me. Luca, you have no spirit.
I should like to see them dare say a word
against me, Nicola, pitying. I should have affected more sense
from you, Luca. But you're young, Your young, Luca, you
have no sh no Luca. Yes, and you like me

(50:11):
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

(50:31):
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

(50:53):
away the end of her 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.

(51:15):
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 Rhina that would break off her
match with Sergius if Luca turning on him quickly. How

(51:36):
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 know, they
can depend on you to hold your tongue and serve

(51:59):
the family faithful. 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, Nicola, Nikola complacently, Yes,
that's the secret of success in service. A loud knocking

(52:19):
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

(52:40):
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 yard, followed by Niccola.
He is a cheerful, excitable, insignificant, unpolished man of about fifty,

(53:02):
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

(53:24):
obviously glad to be home again. Pet Kough, pointing to
the table with his whip, breakfast out here, eh, Nikola, Yes, sir,
the Mistress and Miss Rain 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.

(53:48):
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.
Nicola 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.

(54:12):
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

(54:33):
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

(54:55):
over the back of his chair to kiss him. Have
they brought you fresh coffee? Pet Kau, Yes, Luca's been
looking after me. The war's over. The treaty was signed
three days ago at Bucharist, 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

(55:19):
Austrians force you to make peace? Petkof 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 pet kof appeasing her,

(55:42):
but 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, Petkof. I don't doubt it
in the least, my dear, But I should have had

(56:04):
to 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 Katherine? Oh, my usual sore throats,

(56:27):
that's all pet Cough, 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.

(56:51):
There was an Englishman at Philipopoulos who used to wet
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

(57:11):
ninety eight, the 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,

(57:33):
pet Cough. I 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 peckough.
What's an electric bell, Katherine? You touch a button, something

(57:53):
tinkles in the kitchen, and then Nikola comes up, pekough,
why not shout for him? 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.

(58:15):
So you'd better have all that indicating the clothes on
the bushes put somewhere else. Catherine, Oh, that's absurd, Paul.
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

(58:39):
really isn't nice. Pet cough. Bosh, he shouts louder than before.
Nikola Nicola appearing at the house door. Yes, sir, pet cough.
If that is Major Saranoff, bring him round this way.
He pronounces the name with a stress on the second syllable,

(59:00):
Saranov Nikola, Yes, sir. He goes into the stable yard, petkof.
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,

(59:23):
he certainly ought to be promoted when he marries Raina. Besides,
the country should insist on having at least one native
general petkof Yes, so that he could throw away whole
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.

(59:45):
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
Sergius Saranov, the original of the portrait and ray in
his room is a tall, romantically handsome man with the

(01:00:08):
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
curving with a ramshorn twist round the marked projections at

(01:00:28):
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,
imaginative Barbarian has an acute critical faculty which has been

(01:00:52):
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, by his brooding on the perpetual failure not
only of others but of himself to live up to

(01:01:15):
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 dissillusions
which every hour spent among men bring to his infallibly

(01:01:37):
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 Harold fascinated the grandmothers of his English contemporaries. Altogether,

(01:01:59):
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

(01:02:24):
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

(01:02:46):
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

(01:03:11):
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

(01:03:35):
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

(01:03:56):
now major generals. And I am still a simple Catherine.
You shall not remain so surgious. 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

(01:04:19):
in his amazement your resignation, Catherine, Oh, you must withdraw it, Sergius,
with resolute, measured emphasis, folding his arms. I never withdraw
Petkough vexed now, who could have supposed you were going

(01:04:39):
to do such a thing, Sergius, with fire everyone that
knew me. But enough of myself and my affairs. How
is Reina and where is Raina? Reyina suddenly coming round
the corner of the house and standing at the top
of the steps in the path. Reina is here. She

(01:05:01):
makes a charming picture as they all turn to look
at her. She wears an underdress of pale green silk,
draped with an over dress 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

(01:05:24):
her hand. He drops chivalrously on one knee and kisses it.
Petkof a sigh 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

(01:05:47):
leads Rhina 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

(01:06:12):
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

(01:06:32):
the coward's art of attacking mercilessly when you are strong,
and keeping out of harm's way when you are 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

(01:06:53):
let us make a fair stand up fight of 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

(01:07:15):
up petkaugh. What that Swiss fellow, Sergius. I have 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

(01:07:36):
to his knowledge of horse dealing with mock enthusiasm. Ah,
he was a soldier, every inch a 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

(01:07:56):
in the Servian army? Petkaf a volunteer of course? Keen
on picking up his profession, chuckling, he 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

(01:08:18):
no war without them, Ryena. Are there many Swiss officers
in the Servian army, Petkov 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 us into giving him fifty able bodied

(01:08:41):
men for two hundred confounded, worn out charges. They weren't
even etible, Sergius. We were two children in the hands
of that conces of its soldier major, simply two innocent
little children. Ryena, What was he like, Oh, Rady, you

(01:09:01):
know what a silly question, Sergius. He was like a
commercial traveler in uniform, bousche wa to his boots, pet cough, grinning. Sergius,
tell Catherine that queer story his friend told us about him,
how he escaped after Slivnitzai. You remember about his being

(01:09:22):
hit by two women, Sergius with bitter irony. Oh, yes,
quite a romance. 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

(01:09:45):
take refuge in the chamber of some patriotic young Bulgarian lady.
The young lady was enchanted by his persuasive commercial traveling manners.
She very modestly entertained him for an hour or so,
then called in her mother, lest her conduct should appear unmaidenly.
The old lady was equally fascinated, and the fugitive was

(01:10:08):
sent on his way in the morning, disguised in an
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 course, Sergius,
I did not think you would have repeated such a
story before me. She turns away coldly, Catherine also rising,

(01:10:33):
She is right, Surgius. If such women exist, we should
be spared the knowledge of them. Pet cough, pooh nonsense.
What does it matter? Sergius ashamed, No, petkof I was
wrong to Raina. With earnest humility. I beg your pardon.

(01:10:56):
I have behaved abominably. Forgive me Ray She bows reservedly,
and you too, Madam. Catherine bows graciously and sits down.
He proceeds solemnly, again addressing Raina. The glimpses I have
had of the seamy side of life during the past

(01:11:16):
few 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.

(01:11:41):
A soldier's daughter should be able to stand up without
flinching to a little strong conversation. He rises, calm, It's
time for us to get to business. We have to
make up our minds how those three regiments are to
get back to Philipopoulos. There's no forage for them on
the sofia rot. He goes toward the house. Come along.

(01:12:04):
Sergius is about to follow him when Catherine rises and intervenes. Catherine, Oh, Paul,
can't you spare Sergius for a few moments? Rayena has
hardly seen him yet. Perhaps I can help you to
settle about the regiments. Sergius protesting, my dear Madam. Impossible, you, Catherine,

(01:12:26):
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 Petcov's arm, come and see the electric bell, pet cough,
Oh very well, very well. They go into the house

(01:12:48):
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? Reena? Placing

(01:13:13):
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 Reena, How I have envied you, Sergius. You have
been out in the world, on the field of battle,

(01:13:36):
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
have been yours. You inspired me. I have gone through

(01:13:58):
the war like a knight had 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
I think of you, I feel that I could never

(01:14:19):
do a base deed or think an ignoble thought, Sergius,
My lady and my saint. Clasping her reverently, Raina returning
his embrace. My lord and my Sergius, sh let me
be the worshiper. Dear you little know how unworthy even

(01:14:42):
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 singing within the house. They quickly
release each other. Hush. I can't pretend to talk indifferently
before her. My heart is too full. Luca comes from

(01:15:06):
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, Sergius?
Be quick. If you are away five minutes, it will
seem like five hours. Raina runs to the top of

(01:15:27):
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

(01:15:47):
of vision into the corner of which there now comes
the tail of Luca's double apron. His eye 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

(01:16:11):
of the 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,

(01:16:33):
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.

(01:16:54):
I am surprised at myself, Luca. What with Sergius, the
hero of Slivedneta 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

(01:17:16):
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,

(01:17:41):
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 is sure to be spying about
after you, Sergius, stung, letting her go. Take care, Luca.

(01:18:06):
I may be worthless enough to betray the horror of 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

(01:18:29):
in love with me, would use 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,

(01:18:50):
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 recarding a step Luca, Luca, it shows how little
you really care, Sergius, dropping his familiarity and speaking with

(01:19:14):
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

(01:19:36):
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, I expect
one of the six of you is very like me, sir,
though I am only Miss rains Maid. She goes back

(01:19:59):
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

(01:20:22):
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

(01:20:44):
out of me for love or money? Sergius. Why, Luca?
Never mind? Why? Because you would tell that I told you,
and I should lose my place. Sergius, holding up his
right hand in affirmation. No, on the honor of a

(01:21:04):
He checks himself and his hand drops nervelessly 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.

(01:21:27):
How dare you, Luca retreating? Oh? I mean 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

(01:21:50):
she put on before one another and the real manner.
Sergius shivers as if she has 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

(01:22:13):
hurting me, Sergius, that doesn't matter. You have stained my
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

(01:22:35):
clay with the soul of a servant. He lets her
go as if she were an unclean thing, and turns away,
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 sleeves, feeling her
bruised arms. You know how to hurt with your tongue

(01:22:59):
as well as with your hands. But I don't care.
Now I've found out that whatever clay I'm made of,
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

(01:23:21):
on the tray. He looks doubtfully at her once or twice.
She finishes packing the tray and laps the cloth over
the edges so as to carry all out together. As
she stoops to lift it, he rises, Sergius. Luca, She
stops and looks defiantly at him, with the tray in

(01:23:41):
her hands. A gentleman has no right to hurt a
woman under any circumstances. With profound humility, uncovering his head,
I beg your pardon, Luca. That sort of apology may
satisfy a lady, of what use is it to a servant. Sergius,

(01:24:04):
thus rudely crossed in his chivalry, throws it off with
a bitter lap and says slightingly, Oh, you wish to
be paid for the hurt? He puts on his shako
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

(01:24:31):
she rolls up her left sleeve, clasps her arm with
the thumb and fingers of her right hand, and looks
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,

(01:24:51):
at the arm, at her again, hesitates, and then, with
shuddering intensity, exclaims, Sergius never and gets away as far
as possible from her. Her arm drops without a word
and with unaffected dignity. She takes her tray and it's
approaching the house when Reina returns, wearing a hat and

(01:25:14):
jacket in the height of the Vienna fashion of the
previous year eighteen eighty five. Luca makes way proudly for
her 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,

(01:25:38):
ashamed of herself. Forgive me, dear, it was only a jest.
I am so happy today. He goes quickly to her
and 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

(01:26:01):
not know how to get them to Philipopoulos, and he
objects to every suggestion of mine. You must go and
help him, Sergius. 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

(01:26:25):
him to the foot of the steps and looking up
at him with timid coquetry. I shall go round and
wait in 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,

(01:26:48):
he goes in. Reina watches him until he is out
of her sight. Then, with a perceptible relaxation of manner,
she begins to pace up and down about the garden
in a brown stud Catherine, imagine their meeting. That's Swiss,
and hearing the whole story. The very first thing your

(01:27:08):
father asked for was the old coat. We sent him
off in a nice mess. You've got us into, Raina,
gazing thoughtfully at the gravel as she walks. The little beast, Catherine,
little beast, What little beast? Raina to go and tell? Oh?

(01:27:30):
If I had him here, I'd stuff him with chocolate
creams till he couldn't ever speak again. Catherine, don't talk nonsense.
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,

(01:27:52):
you cannot forget. Did he really climb up after the
soldiers were gone? Or was he there when that officer
search the room? Reina? No, yes, I think he must
have been there, then, Catherine, you think, oh, Reina, Raina,
will anything ever make you straightforward? If Sergius finds out,

(01:28:15):
it is all over between you, Reina, with cool impertinence. Oh,
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

(01:28:38):
upon my word, Reina capriciously after herself. I always feel
a longing to do or say something dreadful to him,
to shock his propriety, to scandalize the five senses out
of him. To Catherine, perversely, I don't care whether he
finds out about the chocolate creams soldier or not. I

(01:29:01):
half hope he may. She again turns flippantly away and
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.

(01:29:23):
She turns the corner and passes out of sight, Catherine
looking after her, 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

(01:29:48):
flaming a servian? How dare he checking herself? Bitterly? 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 Saranov. Why

(01:30:08):
do you come to me, Luca? But he asks for you, Madam,
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,

(01:30:34):
Luca Swiss, Madam, I think, Katherine with a bound. That
makes Luca jump back, Swiss. What is he like? Luca? Timidly?
He has a big carpet bag, Madam Katherine. Oh, heavens,
he's come to return the coat. Send him away, Say
we're not at home. Ask him to leave his address

(01:30:57):
and I'll write to him. Oh stop, will never do. Wait.
She throws herself into a chair to think it out.
Luca waits. The Master and Major saddan Off are busy
in the library, aren't they, Luca, Yes, Madam Catherine, decisively,
bring the gentleman out here at once, imperatively, and be

(01:31:20):
very polite to him. Don't delay here impatiently snatching the
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,

(01:31:42):
Madam Catherine, if not shut it as you pass through, Luca, yes,
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,

(01:32:03):
surprised his spag Catherine, yes, here as soon as possible, vehemently,
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

(01:32:24):
follows the apron. A touch to her hair and a
shake to her dressing gown makes her presentable. Oh how,
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

(01:32:46):
goes in again. He is the man of the adventure
in Raina's room. He is now clean, well brushed, smartly
uniformed and out of trouble, but still unmistakeably the same man.
The moment Luca's back is turned, Catherine swoops on him

(01:33:06):
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
returned with my future son in law, and they know nothing.
If they did, the consequences would be terrible. You are

(01:33:28):
a foreigner. You do not feel our national animosities as
we do. We still hate the Serbians. The only effect
of the peace on my husband is to make him
feel like a lion balked of his prey. If he
discovered our secret, he would never forgive me, and my
daughter's life would hardly be safe. Will you, like these

(01:33:48):
chivalrous gentlemen and soldier you are leave it once before
he finds you here. Blunchley 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
to take it out of my bag and leave it
with your servant as I pass out, I need detain

(01:34:08):
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 sharpest way out. Many thanks,
so glad to have been of service to you. Goodbye, Blunchly.

(01:34:28):
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
her the card. Pet Cough, hatless rushes from the house,

(01:34:49):
and a fluster of hospitality, followed by Sergius pet Cough
as he hurries down the steps. My dear captain Blenchlely. Catherine, Oh,
oh heavens, She sinks on the seat against the wall.
Petkoff too preoccupied to notice her as he shakes Blunchley's

(01:35:09):
hand heartily. Those stupid people of mine thought I was
out here instead of in the 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

(01:35:32):
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

(01:35:54):
go at once. Sergius sardonically impossible, blunche. 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 Philip Popoulos.

(01:36:16):
The forage is the trouble, eh pet Cough eagerly, yes,
that's it. To Sergius, he sees the whole thing at once, Blunchlely,
I think I can show you how to manage that. Sergius,
invaluable man, come along, Towering over Blunchley, he puts his

(01:36:37):
hand on his shoulder and takes him to the steps.
Pet Cough following as Blunchlely 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 it

(01:36:59):
pet Cough, 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. Blenchley bows Reina.
How silly of me? She comes down into the center

(01:37:21):
of the group between Blenchley 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 Blunchley, winningly, I
hope you didn't think that you were the chocolate cream soldier,
Captain Blenchley Blunchley laughing, I assure you I did, stealing

(01:37:46):
a whimsical glance at her. Your explanation was a relief.
Pet Cough suspiciously to Reina. And since when, pray, have
you taken to cooking? Katherine? Oh, whilst you are away?
It's her latest fancy pet Cough testling and has Nikola

(01:38:07):
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, Nikola appears at the top of the
steps right with a carpet bag. He descends, places it

(01:38:29):
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?

(01:38:50):
Nicola taken aback? Sir Petkough? What have you brought that for? Nikola?
My lady's orders, Sir Luca told me that Katherine interrupting
him my orders? Why should I order you to bring
Captain Blenchley's luggage out here? What were you thinking of, Niccola? Nikola,

(01:39:12):
after a moment's bewilderment, picking up 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,

(01:39:33):
you'd better go and slam that bag too down on
miss rain as ice pudding. This is too much for Nicola.
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,

(01:39:55):
sir Katherine, 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

(01:40:16):
going back to Switzerland yet. Until you do go back,
you'll stay with us, Reina, Oh do Captain Blenchely 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 Captain Blenchley really wishes

(01:40:40):
to stay. He knows my wishes. Blenchly in his driest
military manner. I am at Madame's orders, Sergius cordially. That
settles it. Petcough heartily, of course, Raina, you see you
must stay blunchly smiling. Well. If I must, I must

(01:41:05):
gesture of despair from Catherine. End of Act two, Act three.
In the library after lunch, it is not much of
a library, its literary equipment consisting of a single fixed
shelf stocked with old paper covered novels broken back to

(01:41:26):
coffee stained, torn and thumbed, and a couple of little
hanging shelves with a few gift books on them, the
rest of the wall space being occupied by trophies of
war and the chase. But it is a most comfortable
sitting room. A row of three large windows in the
front of the house show a mountain panorama, which is

(01:41:48):
just now seen in one of its softest aspects, in
the mellowing afternoon light. In the left hand corner a
square earthenware stove. A perfect tower of colored pop rises
nearly to the ceiling and guarantees plenty of warmth. The
ottoman in the middle is a circular bank of decorated cushions,

(01:42:10):
and the window seats are well upholstered divans, little Turkish tables,
one of them with an elaborate hookah on it, and
a screen to match them. Complete the handsome effect of
the furnishing. There is one object, however, which is hopelessly
out of keeping with its surroundings. This is a small

(01:42:31):
kitchen table, much the worse for wear, fitted as a
writing table, with an old canister full of pins, an
egg cup filled with ink, and a deplorable scrap of
severely used pink blotting paper. At the side of this table,
which stands on the right, Blutchley is hard at work,
with a couple of maps before him, writing orders. At

(01:42:55):
the head of it sits Sergius, who is also supposed
to be at work, but it was he actually gnawing
the feather of a pin and contemplating Blenchley's quick, sure,
businesslike progress, with a mixture of envious irritation at his
own incapacity and awe struck wonder at an ability which
seems to him almost miraculous, though its prosaic character forbids

(01:43:17):
him to esteem it. The Major is comfortably established on
the ottoman, with a newspaper in his hand and the
tube of the hookah within his reach. Catherine sits at
the stove with her back to them, embroadering. Rhina reclining
on the divan under the left hand window, is gazing
in a daydream out at the Balkan landscape, with a

(01:43:39):
neglected novel in her lap. The door is on the left.
The button of the electric bell is between the door
and the fireplace. Petkoff, looking up from his paper to
watch how they are getting on at the table. Are
you sure I can't help you in any way, Blunchley Blunchley,
without interrupting his writing or looking up, quite sure, Thank you, Saranoff,

(01:44:04):
And I will manage it. Sergius grimly, Yes, we'll manage it.
He finds out what to do, draws up the orders,
and I sign him the vision of Labor. Major. Blunchley
passes him a paper, another one. Thank you. He plants
the paper squarely before him, sets his chair carefully parallel

(01:44:26):
to them, and signs with the air of a man
resolutely performing a difficult and dangerous feet. This hand is
more accustomed to the sword than to the pen. Petkough,
It's very good of you, Blunchly. It is indeed to
let yourself be put upon in this way. Are you
quite sure I can do nothing? Catherine, in a low

(01:44:48):
warning tone, you can stop interrupting, Paul pet Kough starting
and looking round at her. Eh. Oh, quite right, my love,
quite right. He takes his newspaper off, but lets it
drop again. Ah, you haven't been campaigning, Katherine. You don't
know how pleasant it is for us to sit here

(01:45:08):
after a good lunch with nothing to do but enjoy ourselves.
There's only one thing I want to make me thoroughly comfortable, Katherine.
What is that? Petkof my old coat? I'm not at
home in this one. I feel as if I were
on parade, Katherine, my dear, Paul, how absurd you are

(01:45:33):
about that old coat. It must be hanging in the
blue closet where you left it. Pekof my dear, Catherine.
I tell you I've looked there. Am I to believe
my own eyes or not? Katherine quietly rises and presses
the button of the electric bell by the fireplace. What
are you showing off that bell for? She looks at

(01:45:54):
him majestically and silently resumes her chair and her needlework.
My dear, if you think the obstinacy of your sex
can make a coat out of two old dressing gowns
of Rhina's. You're a waterproof in my macintosh. You're mistaken.
That's exactly what the blue closet contains at the present.

(01:46:14):
Nikola presents himself Katherine, unmoved by Petcoff's Sally, Nikola, go
to the blue closet and bring your master's old coat here,
the braided one he usually wears in the house. Nikola, yes, Madam.
Nikola goes out Peckough Katherine. Katherine, yes, Paul, Pekof I

(01:46:40):
bet you any piece of jewelry you like to order
from Sophia against a week's housekeeping money. That the coat
isn't there. Katherine done. Paul Petkoff excited by the prospect
of a gamble, Come, here's an opportunity for some sport
who bet on it. Blunchly. I'll give you six to one, Blunchley, imperturbably,

(01:47:07):
it would be robbing you. Major, Madame is sure to
be right. Without looking up, he passes another batch of
papers to Sergius. Sergius also excited. Bravo Switzerland, Major, I
bet my best charger against an Arab mayor for Raina.
That Nicola finds the coat in the blue closet. Petcough

(01:47:30):
eagerly your best, Chuck, Katherine hastily interrupts him. Don't be foolish, Paul,
an Arabian mayor will cost you fifty thousand lev Us. Raina,
suddenly coming out of her picturesque Revere, Really, mother, if
you are going to take the jewelry, I don't see
why you should grudge me my arab Nikola comes back

(01:47:53):
with the coat and brings it to Petcough, who can
hardly believe his eyes. Katherine, was it Nicola? Nicola hanging
in the blue closet, Madame pet Cough, Well, I am dick,
Catherine stopping him. Paul pet Cough, I could have sworn

(01:48:15):
it wasn't there. Hag is beginning to tell on me.
I'm getting hallucinations to Nicola here, help me change excuse
me bluntly, he begins changing coats. Nicola acting as valet.
Remember I didn't take that bet of yours. Sergius, you'd
better give Reina that Arab steed yourself, since you've roused

(01:48:38):
her expectations. Ah Reina, He looks round at her, but
she is again wrapped in the landscape with a little
gush of paternal affection and pride. He points her out
to them and says she's dreaming as usual. Sergius assuredly
she shall not be the loser. Pet Cough. So much

(01:49:02):
the better for her. I shan't come off so cheap.
I expect change is now complete. Nikola goes out with
a discarded coat. Ah, now I feel at home at last.
He sits down and takes his newspaper. With a grunt
of relief, Blunchley to Sergius, handing a paper that's the

(01:49:23):
last order, pet Cough jumping up, What finished? Blunchley finished?
Pet Cough goes beside Sergius looks curiously over his left
shoulder as he signs, and says, with childlike envy. Haven't
you anything for me to sign? Blenchley? Not necessary his signature,

(01:49:46):
will do, pet Cough. Ah, Well, I think we've done
a thundering good day's work. He goes away from the table.
Can I do anything more? Blenchley? You had better both
see the fellows that are to take these to Sergius,
pack them off at once and show them that I've
marked on the arders the time they should hand them

(01:50:07):
in by tell them that if they stop to drink
or tell stories, if they're five minutes late, they'll have
the skin taken off their backs. Sergius rising indignantly, I'll
say so, And if one of them is man enough
to spit in my face for insulting him, I'll buy
his discharge and give him a pension. He strides out

(01:50:29):
his humanity, deeply outraged. Blunchley confidentially, just see that he
talks to them properly, Major, will you, pet Cough officiously?
Quite right, Blenchley, quite right, I'll see to it. He
goes to the door importantly, but hesitates on the threshold.
By the bye, Catherine, you may come as well to

(01:50:51):
they'll be far more frightened of you than of me, Catherine,
putting down her embroidery, I dare say I had better.
You will only splutter at them. She goes out, pet
Cough holding the door for her, and following her blunchly,
what a country They make cannons out of cherry trees,

(01:51:13):
and the officers send for their wives to keep discipline.
He begins to fold and dock the papers. Raina, who
has risen from the divan, strolls down the room with
her hands clasped behind her and looks mischievously at him. Raina,
you look ever so much nicer than when we last met.
He looks up, surprised. What have you done to yourself? Blunchly,

(01:51:39):
washed brushed, good night's sleep and breakfast, that's all, Raina.
Did you get back safely that morning? Bluchly, quite thanks, Raina.
Were they angry with you for running away from Sergius's charge?
Blunchly No, they were glad because that I'll just away themselves, Raina,

(01:52:02):
going to the table and leaning over it toward him.
It must have made a lovely story for them, all
that about me and my room. Blenchley, capital story. But
I only told it to one of them, a particular friend, Raina,
on whose discretion you could absolutely rely Blenchley absolutely, Raina. Humh.

(01:52:27):
He told it to my father and Sergius the day
you exchanged the prisoners. She turned away in strolls carelessly
across to the other side of the room. Blenchley, deeply
concerned and half incredulous. No, you don't mean that, do you, Raina,
turning with sudden eagerness. I do, indeed, But they don't

(01:52:50):
know that it was in this house that you hid.
If Sergius knew, he would challenge you and kill you
in a jewel Blinchley, bless me, then, don't tell Rain.
Full of reproach for his levity. Can you realize what
it is to me to deceive him? I want to
be quite perfect with Sergius. No meanness, no smallness, no deceit.

(01:53:14):
My relation to him is the one really beautiful and
noble part of my life. I hope you can understand that.
Blunchlely skeptically, you mean that you wouldn't like him to
find out that the story about the ice pudding was
a a you know, RAINA wincing ah. Don't talk of

(01:53:35):
it in that flippant way. I lied, I know it,
but I did it to save your life. He would
have killed you. That was the second time I ever
uttered a falsehood. Blunchley rises quickly and looks doubtfully and
somewhat severely at her. Do you remember the first time, Blunchley,

(01:53:56):
I know, was I present? Rain? Yes? And I told
the officer who was searching for you that you were
not present? Blunchly true, I should have remembered it. RAINA
greatly encouraged ah. It is natural that you should forget
it first. It cost you nothing. It cost me a lie,

(01:54:19):
a lie. She sits down on the ottoman, looking straight
before her, with her hands clasped on her knee. Blenchley,
quite touched, goes to the ottoman with a particularly reassuring
and considerate air, and sits down beside her. Blunchley, My
dear young lady, don't let this worry you. Remember I'm

(01:54:42):
a soldier. Now. What are the two things that happened
to a soldier so often that he comes to think
nothing of him? One is hearing people tell lies. Raina recoils.
The other is getting his life saved in all sorts
of ways, by all sorts of people, Raina rising in
indignant protest, and so he becomes a creature, incapable of

(01:55:06):
faith and of gratitude. Blunchley, making a wry face. Do
you like gratitude? I don't. If pity is akin to love,
gratitude is akin to the other thing, Raina gratitude, turning
to him. If you are incapable of gratitude, you are

(01:55:27):
incapable of any noble sentiment. Even animals are grateful. Oh,
I see now exactly what you think of me. You
were not surprised to hear me lie to you. It
was something I probably did every day, every hour. That
is how men think of women. She walks up the
room melodramatically, blunchly dubiously. There is reason in everything you said.

(01:55:55):
You told only two lies in your whole life, dear
young lady. Isn't that rather a short allowance? I'm quite
a straightforward man myself, but it wouldn't last me a
whole morning. Raina staring haughtily at him. Do you know, sir,
that you are insulting me? Bluchely. I can't help it

(01:56:17):
when you get into that noble attitude and speak with
that thrilling voice. I admire you, but I find it
impossible to believe a single word you say, Reina, superbly,
Captain Blunchlely, Blunchley unmoved. Yes, Raina, coming a little towards him,

(01:56:39):
as if she could not believe her senses. Do you
mean what you said just now? Do you know what
you said just now? Blenchley? I do, Raina, gasping I
I she points to herself, incredulously, meaning I Raina petcock

(01:57:00):
tell lies. He meets her gaze unflinchingly. She suddenly sits
down beside him, and adds, with a complete change of
manner from the heroic to the familiar. How did you
find me out, Blenchley promptly, instinct, dear young lady, instinct
and experience of the world, Raina, wonderingly, do you know

(01:57:24):
you are the first man I ever met who did
not take me seriously? Blinchley, you mean, don't you that
I am the first man that has ever taken you
quite seriously? Raina? Yes, I suppose I do mean that
cozily quite at her ease with him. How strange it

(01:57:45):
is to be talked to in such a way. You know,
I've always gone on like that. I mean, the noble
attitude and the thrilling voice. I did it when I
was a tiny child to my nurse. She believed in it.
I do it before my parents they believe in it.
I do it before Sergius. He believes in it. Blunchly. Yes,

(01:58:06):
he's a little in that line himself, isn't he? Reina startled?
Do you think so? Blenchley? You know him better than
I do, Reina. I wonder, I wonder is he if
I thought that discouraged? Ah? Well, what does it matter?

(01:58:27):
I suppose now that you've found me out, you despise me,
Blunchly warmly rising. No, my dear young lady, No, no, no,
a thousand times. It's part of your youth, part of
your charm. I'm like all the rest of them, the nurse,
your parents, Sergius, I'm your infatuated admirer, Reina pleased, Really,

(01:58:53):
Blunchley slapping his breast smartly with his hand, German fashion,
hung off huts, Really and truly, Raina very happy? But
what did you think of me for giving you my portrait?
Blnchley astonished your portrait? You never gave me your portrait,

(01:59:15):
Raina quickly Do you mean to say you never got it? Blunchley? No.
He sits down beside her with renewed interest and says,
with some complacency, when did you send it to me? Reina? Indignantly,
I did not send it to you. She turns her
hat away and adds reluctantly, it was in the pocket

(01:59:38):
of that coat, Blunchley, pursing his lips and rounding his eyes. Oh,
I never found it. It must be there still, Reina,
springing up there still for my father to find the
first time he puts his hand in his pocket. Oh,
how could you be so stupid? Blunchley rising. Also, it

(02:00:03):
doesn't matter, it's only a photograph. How can he tell
who it was intended for? Tell him he put it
there himself, Raina impatiently. Yes, that is so clever, so clever.
What shall I do, Blunchley? Ah? I see you wrote
something on it that was rash, Raina annoyed, almost to tears.

(02:00:31):
Oh to have done such a thing for you, who
care no more except to laugh at me? Oh are
you sure nobody has touched it? Blunchley? Well I can't
be quite sure. You see. I couldn't carry it about
with me all the time. One can't take much luggage
on active service, Raina? What did you do with it? Blunchley?

(02:00:55):
When I got through to Peter Wrought, I had to
put it in safe keeping somehow. I thought of the
railway cloak room, But that's the surest place to get
looted in modern warfare. So I pawned it. Raina pawned it, Blenchley.
I know it doesn't sound nice, but it was much
the safest plan. I redeemed it the day before yesterday.

(02:01:19):
Heaven only knows whether the pawnbroker cleared out the pockets
or not, Raina, furious, throwing the words right into his face.
You have a low shop keeping mind. You'd think of
things that would never come into a gentleman's head. Blenchley phlegmatically.

(02:01:40):
That's the Swiss national character. Dear lady Raina, Oh, I
wish I had never met you. She flounces away and
sits at the window, fume. Luca comes in with a
heap of letters and telegrams on her salver and crosses
with her bold free gate to the table. Her left

(02:02:01):
sleeve is looped up to the shoulder with a brooch
showing her naked arm, with a broad gilt bracelet covering
the bruise. Luca, too blunchly for you. She empties the
salver recklessly on the table. The messenger is waiting. She
is determined not to be civil to a servian, even

(02:02:22):
if she must bring him his letters. Blunchley to Rhinea.
Will you excuse me? The last postal delivery that reached
me was three weeks ago. These are these subsequent accumulations.
Four telegrams a week old. He opens one, Oh who
bad news, Raina rising and advancing a little remorsefully bad

(02:02:47):
news Blunchley, my father's dead. He looks at the telegram
with his lips pursed, musing on the unexpected change in
his arrangements. Raina, Oh, how very sad Blunchley. Yes, I
shall have to start for home in an hour. He
has left a lot of big hotels behind him to

(02:03:09):
be looked after. Takes up a heavy letter in a
long blue envelope. Here's a whacking letter from the family solicitor.
He pulls out the enclosures and glances over them. Great
heavens seventy two hundred, in a crescendo of dismay, four hundred,

(02:03:29):
four thousand, nine thousand, six hundred, What on earth shall
I do with them all? Reina timidly nine thousand hotels,
Blunchley hotels, nonsense, if you only knew. Oh it's too ridiculous.
Excuse me, I must give my fellow orders about starting.

(02:03:51):
He leaves the room hastily with the documents in his hand,
Luca taunting ling he has not much heart, that's Swiss.
Though he is so fond of the Servians, he has
not a word of grief for his poor father. Raina
bitterly grief. A man who has been doing nothing but

(02:04:12):
killing people for years? What does he care? What does
any soldier care? She goes to the door, evidently restraining
her tears with difficulty. Luka, major Soaranov has been fighting too,
and he has plenty of heart left. Raina at the door,
looks haughtily at her and goes out. Ah, I thought

(02:04:34):
you wouldn't get much feeling out of your soldier. She
is following Rena when Nikola comes with an armful of
logs for the fire. Nikola, grinning amorously at her, I've
been trying all the afternoon to get a minute alone
with you, my girl. His countenance changes as he notices
her arm Why what fashion is that of wearing your sleeve, child,

(02:05:00):
Luca proudly my own fashion, Nikola. Indeed, if the mistress
catches you, she'll talk to you. He throws the logs
down on the ottoman and sits comfortably beside them. Luca,
is that any reason why you should take it on
yourself to talk to me? Nicola? Calm, don't be so

(02:05:22):
contrary with me. I've some good news for you. He
takes out some paper money. Luca, with an eager gleam
in her eyes, comes close to look at it. See
a twenty live bill. Sergius gave me that out of
pure swagger. A fool and his money are soon parted.
There's tim leave us more. The Swiss gave me that

(02:05:45):
for backing up the mistresses, and rain Is lies about him.
He's no fool, he isn't. You should have heard old
Catherine downstairs, as polite as you please, to me, telling
me not to mind the major being a little patient,
for they knew what a good servant I was, after
making a fool and a liar of me before them.

(02:06:06):
All the twenty will go to our savings, and you
shall have the ten to spend, if you'll only talk
to me so as to remind me I'm a human being.
I get tired of being a servant occasionally, Luca scornfully. Yes,
sell your manhood for thirty lev us and buy me

(02:06:27):
for ten. Keep your money. You were born to be
a servant. I was not. When you set up your shop.
You will only be everybody's servant instead of somebody's servant.
Nikola picking up his logs and going to the stove. Ah,
wait till you see. We shall have our evenings to ourselves,

(02:06:48):
and I shall be master in my own house, I
promise you. He throws the logs down and kneels at
the stove. Luca, you shall never be master in mind,
and she sits down on Sergeus's chair, Nikola turning still
on his knees and squatting down rather forlornly on his calves,

(02:07:09):
daunted by her implacable disdain. You have a great ambition
in you, Luca. Remember if any luck comes to you,
it was I that made a woman of you, Luca,
you Nikola with dogged self assertion. Yes, me? Who was it?
Made you? Give up wearing a couple of pounds of

(02:07:31):
false black hair on your head and reddening your lips
and cheeks like any other Bulgarian girl? I did? Who
taught you to trim your nails and keep your hands
clean and be dainty about yourself like a fine Russian lady? Me?
Do you hear that? Me? She tosses her head defiantly,

(02:07:51):
and he rises ill humoredly, adding more coolly, I've often
thought that if Rhena were out of the way, and
you just a little less of a fool, and surge
Us just a little more of one, you might come
to be one of my grandest customers instead of only
being my wife and costing me money. Luca, I believe

(02:08:14):
you would rather be my servant than my husband. You
would make more out of me. Oh, I know that
soul of yours, Nikola going up close to her for
greater emphasis. Never you mind my soul, but just listen
to my advice. If you want to be a lady,
your present behavior to me won't do it all a

(02:08:37):
less when we are alone. It's too sharp and impudent,
and impudence is a sort of familiarity. It shows affection
for me. And don't you try being high and mighty
with me either. You're like all country girls. You think
it's genteel to treat a servant the way I treat
a stable boy. That's only your ignorance. And don't you

(02:09:00):
get it. Don't be so ready to defy everybody. Act
as if you expected to have your own way, not
as if you expected to be ordered about. The way
to get on as a lady is the same as
the way to get on as a servant. You've got
to know your place, that's the secret of it. And
you may depend on me to know my place if

(02:09:21):
you get promoted. Think it over, my girl, I'll stand
by you. One servant should always stand by another, Luca,
rising impatiently. Oh, I must behave in my own way.
You take all the courage out of me with your
cold blooded wisdom. Go and put those logs on the fire.

(02:09:42):
That's the sort of thing you understand. Before Nikola can retort,
Sergius comes in. He checks himself a moment on seeing Luca,
then goes to the stove. Sergius to Nikola, I am
not in the way of your work, I hope glaw
in a smooth, elderly manner. Oh no, sir, thank you kindly.

(02:10:05):
I was only speaking to this foolish girl about her
habit of running up here to the library whenever she
gets a chance to look at the books. That's the
worst of her education, sir. It gives her habits above
her station. To Luca, make that table tidy, Luca for
the major He goes out sedately. Luca, without looking at Sergius,

(02:10:25):
begins to arrange the papers on the table. He crosses
slowly to her and studies the arrangement of her sleeve reflectively. Sergius,
let me see, is there a mark there? He turns
up the bracelet and sees the bruise made by his grasp.
She stands motionless, not looking at him, fascinated, but on

(02:10:47):
her guard. Who does it hurt, Luca? Yes, Sergius, Shall
I cure it? Luca instantly, withdrawing herself proudly, but still
not looking at him. No, you cannot cure it now,
Sergius masterfully, quite sure, He makes a movement as if

(02:11:11):
to take her in his arms. Luca, don't trifle with me, please.
An officer should not trifle with a servant. Sergius, touching
the arm with a merciless stroke of his forefinger. That
was no trifle, Luca, Luca, no, looking at him for
the first time. Are you sorry, Sergius with measured emphasis,

(02:11:35):
folding his arms. I am never sorry, Luca wistfully. I
wish I could believe a man could be so unlike
a woman as that. I wonder, are you really a
brave man? Sergius, unaffectedly, relaxing his attitude. Yes, I am

(02:11:56):
a brave man. My heart jumped like a woman at
the first shot. But in the charge I found that
I was brave. Yes, that at least is real about me. Luca.
Did you find in the charge that the men whose
fathers are poor like mine were any less brave than
the men who are rich like you, Sergius, with bitter levity,

(02:12:20):
not a bit. They all slashed and cursed and yelled
like heroes. Pshah. The courage to rage and kill is cheap.
I have an English bull terrier who has as much
of that sort of courage as the whole Bulgarian nation
and the whole Russian nation at its back. But he
lets my groom thrash him all the same. That's your

(02:12:44):
soldier all over. No, Luca, your poor men can cut throats,
but they are afraid of their officers. They put up
with insults and blows. They stand by and see one
another punished like children. Aye, and help to do it
when they are ordered, And the officers well with a
short bitter laugh. I am an officer. Oh, fervently, give

(02:13:09):
me the man who will defy to the death any
power or on earth or in Heaven, that sets hisself
up against his own will and conscience. He alone is
the brave man, Luca, How easy it is to talk.
Men never seem to me to grow up. They all
have schoolboy's ideas. You don't know what true courage is

(02:13:33):
Sergius ironically Indeed, I am willing to be instructed, Luca.
Look at me. How much am I allowed to have
my own? Will? I have to get your room ready
for you to sweep in dust, to fetch and carry.
How could that degrade me? If it did not degrade

(02:13:54):
you to have it done for you but with subdued passion.
If I were Empress of Russia above everyone in the world,
then ah, then though according to you, I could show
no courage at all. You should see you should see, Sergius,

(02:14:15):
what would you do, most noble Empress, Luca? I would
marry the man I loved, which no other queen in
Europe has the courage to do. If I loved you,
though you would be as far beneath me as I
am beneath you, I would dare to be the equal
of my inferior. Would you dare as much if you

(02:14:37):
loved me? No, if you felt the beginnings of love
for me, you would not let it grow. You dare
not You would marry a rich man, said daughter, because
you would be afraid of what other people would say
of you. Sergius carried away you lie. It is not so,

(02:14:58):
by all the stars. If I loved you, and I
with the Tsar of Russia himself, I would set you
on the throne by my side. You know that I
love another woman, a woman as high above you as
heaven is above earth, and you are jealous of her, Luca,
I have no reason to be. She will never marry you.

(02:15:19):
Now the man I told you of has comeback. She
will marry the Swiss, Sergius recalling the Swiss, Luca, a
man worth ten of you. Then you can come to me,
and I will refuse you. You are not good enough
for me. She turns to the door, Sergius springing after

(02:15:42):
her and catching her fiercely in his arms. I will
kill the Swiss, and afterwards I will do as I
please with you, Luca in his arms, passive and steadfast,
the Swiss will kill you. Perhaps he has beaten you
in love, he may beat you in war, Sergius tormentedly.

(02:16:03):
Do you think I believe that she, she whose worst
thoughts are higher than your best ones, is capable of
trifling with another man behind my back? Luca? Do you
think she would believe the Swiss if he told her
now that I am in your arms? Sergius releasing her

(02:16:24):
in despair, damnation, Oh, damnation. Mockery, mockery everywhere. Everything I
think is mocked by everything I do. He strikes himself
frantically on the breast. Coward, liar, fool. Shall I kill
myself like a man, or live and pretend to laugh

(02:16:45):
at myself? She again turns to go, Luga. She stops
near the door. Remember you belong to me, Luca quietly,
what does that mean? And insult Sergius commandingly. It means
that you love me, and that I have had you

(02:17:07):
here in my arms, and will perhaps have you there again.
Whether that is an insult, I neither know nor care.
Take it as you please, but vehemently I will not
be a coward and a trifler. If I choose to
love you, I dare marry you in spite of all bulgaria.
If these hands ever touch you again, they shall touch

(02:17:31):
my affianced bride, Luca. We shall see whether you dare
keep your word, but take care. I will not wait long, Sergius, again,
folding his arms and standing motionless in the middle of
the room. Yes, we shall see, and you shall wait
my pleasure. Blunchly, much preoccupied with his paper still in

(02:17:55):
his hand, enters, leaving the door open for Luca to
go out. He goes across to the table, glancing at
her as he passes. Sergius without altering his resolute attitude,
watches him steadily. Luca goes out, leaving the door open.
Blenchley absently sitting at the table as before and putting

(02:18:16):
down his papers. That's a remarkable looking young woman, Sergius gravely,
without moving, Captain Blenchlely Blnchley, Eh, Sergius, you have deceived me.
You are my rival. I brook no rivals. At six o'clock,

(02:18:38):
I shall be in the drilling ground on the Glesora Road, alone,
on horseback, with my saber. Do you understand Blunchley staring
but sitting quite at his ease. Oh, thank you, that's
a cowalrymn's proposal. I'm in the artillery, and I have
the choice of weapons. If I go, I shall take

(02:19:00):
a machine gun, and there shall be no mistake about
the cartridges. This time Sergius flushing, but with deadly coldness.
Take care, sir. It is not our custom in Bulgaria
to allow invitations of that kind to be trifled with.
Blunchley warmly, pooh, don't talk to me about Bulgaria. You

(02:19:22):
don't know what fighting is, but have it your own way.
Bring your saber along. I'll meet you. Sergius fiercely delighted
to find his opponent a man of spirit, well said Switzer.
Shall I lend you my best horse, Blunchley, No, damn
your horse. Thank you all the same, my dear fellow.

(02:19:44):
Raina comes in and here's the next sentence. I shall
fight you on foot. Horseback's too dangerous. I don't want
to kill you if I can help it. Raina hurrying
forward anxiously, I have heard what Captain Blenchley said, Sergius.
You are going to fight? Why? Sergius turns away in
silence and goes to the stove, where he stands watching

(02:20:07):
her as she continues to Blunchly. What about Blunchley, I
don't know. He hasn't told me. Better not interfere, dear
young lady. No harm will be done. I've often acted
as sword instructor. He won't be able to touch me,
and I'll not hurt him. It will save explanations. In
the morning, I shall be off home and you'll never

(02:20:29):
see me or hear of me again. You and he
will then make it up and live happily. Ever after,
Raina turning away deeply hurt, almost with a sob in
her voice. I never said I wanted to see you again, Sergius,
striding forward. Ah, that is a confession, Reina, haughtily, What

(02:20:52):
do you mean, Sergius? You love that man, Raina, scandalized Sergius, Sergius,
you allow him to make love to you behind my back,
just as you accept me as your affianced husband behind
his Blnchly. You knew our relations and you deceived me.

(02:21:17):
It is for that that I call you to account,
not for having received favors that I never enjoyed. Blnchley
jumping up indignantly, stuff rubbish. I received no favors. Why
the young lady doesn't even know whether I'm married or not? Raina?
Forgetting herself, Oh, collapsing on the ottoman. Are you, Sergius?

(02:21:42):
You see the young lady's concern. Captain Blenchley, denial is useless.
You have enjoyed the privilege of being received in her
own room late at night, Blenchley, interrupting him peperily, Yes,
you blockhead, she received me with a pistol at her head.
Your cavalry were at my heels. I'd have blown out

(02:22:03):
her brains if she'd uttered a cry. Sergius taken aback Bluchley.
RAINA is this true? Raina rising in wrathful majesty? Oh,
how dare you? How dare you? Blnchley apologized, man, apologize?
He resumes his seat at the table, Sergius with the

(02:22:26):
old measured emphasis, folding his arms. I never apologize, Raina, passionately.
This is the doing of that friend of yours, Captain Blinchley.
It is he who is spreading this horrible story about me.
She walks about excitedly Blnchley. No, he's dead, burnt alive, Raina, stopping, shocked,

(02:22:53):
burnt alive. Blunchley shot in the hip in a woodyard,
couldn't drag himself at your fellow's shells, set the timber
on fire, and burnt him with half a dozen other
poor devils. In the same predicament, RAINA, how horrible, Sergius,
and how ridiculous a war? War? The dream of patriots

(02:23:16):
and heroes? A fraud, Blenchley, A hollow sham like love,
Raina outraged like love? You say that before me, Blenchley,
Come sadan Off. That matter is explained, Sergius, a hollow sham,

(02:23:37):
I say, would you have come back here if nothing
had passed between you? Except that the muzzle of your pistol.
Raina is mistaken about our friend who was burnt. He
was not my informant, Raina, who then suddenly guessing the truth. Ah, Luca,

(02:23:58):
my maid, you were with her this morning, all that
time after Oh what sort of god is this? I
have been worshiping? He meets her gaze with sardonic enjoyment
of her disenchantment angered all the more, she goes closer
to him and says, in a lower intenser tone, do

(02:24:20):
you know that I looked out of the window as
I went upstairs to have another sight of my hero,
and I saw something that I did not understand? Then?
I know now that you were making love to her, Sergius,
with grim humor, You saw that Raina only too well.

(02:24:43):
She turns away and throws herself on the divan under
the center window. Quite overcome, Sergius, Cynically, Reina, our romance
is shattered, life safe force blunchley to Reina, humoredly, you
see he's found himself out now, Sergius, Blenchley, I have

(02:25:06):
allowed you to call me a blockhead. You may now
call me a coward as well. I refuse to fight you.
Do you know why, Blenchley, No, but it doesn't matter.
I didn't ask the reason when you cried on, and
I don't ask the reason now that you cry off.
I'm a professional soldier. I fight when I have to,

(02:25:29):
and am very glad to get out of it when
I haven't too. You're only an amateur. You think fighting
is an amusement. Sergius, you shall hear the reason all
the same, my professional. The reason is that it takes
two men, real men, men of heart, blood and honor,

(02:25:49):
to make a genuine combat. I could no more fight
with you than I could make love to an ugly woman.
You've no magnetism. You're not a man. You're a machine,
Blunchley apologetically, quite true, Quite true. I always was that
sort of chap. I'm very sorry. But now that you've

(02:26:11):
found that life isn't a force but something quite sensible
and serious, what further obstacle is there to your happiness?
Raina riling. You are very solicitous about my happiness and his?
Do you forget his new love? Luca? It is not
you that he must fight now, but his rival, Nicola.

(02:26:34):
Sergius rival, striking his forehead, Raina. Did you not know
that they are engaged? Sergius Nicola? Our fresh abysses opening Nicola,
Raina sarcastically, A shocking sacrifice. Isn't it such beauty, such intellect,

(02:26:56):
such modesty wasted on a middle a servant man. Really, Sergius,
you cannot stand by and allow such a thing. It
would be unworthy of your chivalry. Sergius losing all self control,
viper viper. He rushes to and fro raging Blenchley. Look here,

(02:27:19):
sir Ronolf, you're getting the worst of this, Raina getting angry.
Do you realize what he has done? Captain Blenchley? He
has set this girl as a spy on us, and
her reward is that he makes love to her. Sergius, false, monstrous,
Raina monstrous, confronting him. Do you deny that she told

(02:27:44):
you about Captain Blenchley being in my room? Sergius? No,
but Raina interrupting. Do you deny that you were making
love to her when she told you? Sergius, No, but
I tell you, Raina, cutting him sharp contentemptuously It is
unnecessary to tell us anything more. That is quite enough

(02:28:06):
for us. She turns her back on him and sweeps
majestically back to the window. Blunchley quietly as Sergius, in
an agony of mortifications, sinks on the ottoman, clutching his
averted head between his fists. I told you you were
getting the worst of its Saranov Sergius, tiger cat Reina

(02:28:31):
running excitedly to Blunchley. You hear this man calling me
names Captain Blunchley. Blunchley, what else can he do? Dear lady,
He must offend himself somehow, calm, very persuasively. Don't quarrel?
What good does it do? Reina, with a gasp, sits

(02:28:51):
down on the ottoman, and after a vain effort to
look vexedly at Blunchley, she follows a victim to her
own sense of humor and is attack with a disposition
to laugh. Sergius, engaged to Nicola, he rises ha going
to the stove and standing with his back to it. Ah, well, Blenchley,

(02:29:15):
you are right to take this huge imposture of a
world coolly Raina too, Bluchly with an intuitive guest at
his state of mind, I dare say you think us
a couple of grown up babies, don't you, Sergius grinning
a little? He does, He does, Swiss civilization nurse tending

(02:29:36):
bulgarian barbarism a Bluchley blushing not at all, I assure you,
I'm only very glad to get you too quieted there. Now,
let's be pleasant and talk it over in a friendly way.
Where is this other young lady Raina listening at the door,
probably Sergius, shivering as if a bullet had struck him,

(02:29:59):
and speaking with quiet but deep indignation. I will prove
that that, at least is a calumny. He goes with
dignity to the door and opens it. A yell of
fury bursts from him as he looks out. He darts
into the passage and returns, dragging in Luca, whom he
flings against the table right as he cries, judge her, Blunchly,

(02:30:24):
you the moderate, cautious man, judge the eavesdropper. Luca stands
her ground, proud and silent, Blunchly shaking his head. I
mustn't judge her. I once listened to myself outside a
tent when there was the mutiny brewing It's all a
question of the degree of provocation. My life was at stake, Luca,

(02:30:48):
My love was at stake. Sergius flinches, ashamed of her,
in spite of himself. I am not ashamed, Raina, contemptuously
your love, your curiosity, you mean Luca facing her and
retorting her contempt with interest. My love stronger than anything

(02:31:10):
you can feel, even for your chocolate creamed soldier. Sergius
with quick suspicion to Luca. What does that mean, Luca fiercely.
It means Sergius interrupting her slightly. Oh, I remember the
ice pudding. A paltry taunt girl. Major pet Cough enterests

(02:31:30):
in his shirt sleeves. Pet Cough, excuse my shirt sleeves, gentlemen, Raina,
somebody has been wearing this coat of mine. I'll swear it,
somebody with bigger shoulders than mine. It's all burst open
at the back. Your mother is mending it. I wish
she'd make haste. I shall catch cold. He looks more
attentively at them. Is anything the matter, Raina? No. She

(02:31:57):
sits down at the stove with a tranquil air. Sergius,
oh no, he sits down at the end of the
table as at first Blunchley, who is already seated. Nothing nothing, Petkough,
sitting down on the ottoman in its old place. That's
all right, he notices Luca. Anything the matter, Luca, Luca, No,

(02:32:22):
sir pet Cough, genially, that's all right, he sneezes. Go
and ask your mistress for my coat, like a good girl,
will you. She turns to obey, but Nikola enters with
the coat, and she makes the pretense of having business
in the room by taking the little table with the
hookah away to the wall near the windows. Raina rising

(02:32:45):
quickly as she sees the coat on Nikola's arm. Here
it is, Papa. Give it to me, Nikola, and do
you put some more wood on the fire. She takes
the coat and brings it to the Major, who stands
up to put it on. Nikola attends to the fire.
Pet Cough to Raina, teasing her affectionately, Aha, going to

(02:33:05):
be very good to poor old Papa, just for one
day after his return from the wars A Raina with
solemn reproach. Oh, how can you say that to me,
father pet Cough, Well, well, only a joke, little one.
Come give me a kiss. She kisses him. Now give
me the coat, Raina. Now I am going to put

(02:33:28):
it on for you. Turn your back. He turns his
back and feels behind him with his arms for the sleeves.
She dexterously takes the photograph from the pocket and throws
it on the table before Blenchley, who covers it with
a sheet of paper under the very nose of Sergius,
who looks on, amazed with his suspicions. Roused in the
highest degree, she then helps pet Cough on with his coat. There, dear,

(02:33:53):
now are you comfortable? Pet cough quite little love? Thanks,
he said, down, and Raina returns to her seat near
the stove. Oh, by the bye, I've found something funny.
What's the meaning of this? He puts his hand into
the picked pocket. Eh, hello. He tries the other pocket, Well,

(02:34:17):
I could have sworn much puzzled, he tries the breast pocket,
I wonder, tries the original pocket. Where can it? A
light flashes on him. He rises, exclaiming, your mother's taking it, Raina,
very red taken. What pet Cough your photograph with the inscription?

(02:34:41):
Raina to her chocolate cream soldier a souvenir. Now you
know there's something more in this than meets the eye,
and I'm going to find it out, shouting Nickola, Nicola
dropping a log and turning, Sir pet Cough, did you
spoil any pastry of mis this morning? Nikola? You heard

(02:35:03):
Miss rain say that I did, Sir Petcough, I know that,
you idiot. Was it true, Nicola? I am sure Miss
Raina is incapable of saying anything that is not true,
Sir pet Cough, Are you then? I'm not turning to
the others? Calm? Do you think I don't see it all?

(02:35:26):
Goes to Sergius and slaps him on the shoulder. Sergius,
you're the chocolate cream soldier, aren't you, Sergius standing up,
I a chocolate cream soldier. Certainly not Petkoff not. He
looks at them. They are all very serious and very

(02:35:46):
re conscious. Do you mean to tell me that Raina
sends photographic souvenirs to other men? Sergius enigmatically. The world
is not such an innocent place as we used to think.
Pet Cough Bletchley rising, It's all right, Major, I'm the

(02:36:06):
chocolate cream soldier. Pet Cough and Sergius are equally astonished.
The gracious young lady saved my life by giving me
chocolate creams when I was starving. Shall I ever forget
their flavor? My late friend Stoles told you the story
at Pirot, I was the fugitive. Pet Cough you, he gasps, Sergius,

(02:36:32):
do you remember how those two women went on this
morning when we mentioned it? Sergius smiles cynically. Pet Cough
confronts Rhnea severely. You're a nice young woman, aren't you?
Raina bitterly Major Saranov has changed his mind. And when

(02:36:52):
I wrote that on the photograph, I did not know
that Captain Blenchley was married. Blenchley much startled, protesting vehemently,
I'm not married, Reina, with deep reproach, you said you
were Blunchley. I did not. I positively did not. I
never was married in my life. Petkof, exasperated Reina, will

(02:37:18):
you kindly inform me, if I am not asking too much,
which gentleman you are engaged to, Reina? To neither of them.
This young lady introducing Luca, who faces them all proudly,
is the object of Major Saranov's affections at present. Petkough, Luca,

(02:37:40):
are you mad? Sergius? Why this girl's engaged to Nikola.
Nicola coming forward, I beg your pardon, sir, there is
a mistake. Luca is not engaged to me, Petkough, not
engaged to you. You scount why you had twenty five

(02:38:02):
leave us from me on the day of your betrothal.
And she had that guilt bracelet from Miss rain Nicola
with cool unction. We gave it out, so sir, but
it was only to give Luca protection. She had a
soul above her station, and I have been no more
than her confidential servant. I intend, as you know, Sir,

(02:38:24):
to set up a shop later on in Sophia, and
I look forward to her custom and recommendation should she
marry into the nobility. He goes out with impressive discretion,
leaving them all staring after him, Petkough breaking the silence, Well,
I am sergius. This is either the finest heroism or

(02:38:46):
the most crawling baseness. Which is it? Blunchley Blunchley? Never
mind whether it's heroism or baseness. Nicola's the ablest man
I've met in Bulgaria. Kim manager of a hotel, if
he can speak French and German. Luca suddenly breaking out
at Sergius, I have been insulted by everyone here. You

(02:39:10):
set them the example. You owe me an apology. Sergius immediately,
like a repeating clock of which the spring has been touched,
begins to fold his arms lunchly before he can speak.
It's no use. He never apologizes. Luca, not to you,
his equal and his enemy, to me, his poor servant.

(02:39:33):
He will not refuse to apologize this, Sergius approvingly, you
are right. He bends his knee in his grandest manner.
Forgive me, Luca, I forgive you. She timidly gives him
her hand, which he kisses. That touch makes me your

(02:39:57):
affianced wife, springing up, Ah, I forgot that, Luca Coldly,
you can withdraw if you like, Sergius, withdraw never you
belong to me. He puts his arm about her and
draws her to him. Katherine comes in and finds Luca

(02:40:18):
in Sergius's arms, and all the rest gazing at them
in bewildered astonishment. Katherine, what does this mean? Sergius releases
Luca pet cough, Well, my dear, it appears that Sergius
is going to marry Luca instead of Raina. She is
about to break out indignantly at him. He stops her

(02:40:38):
by exclaiming testily, don't blame me. I've nothing to do
with it. He retreats to the stove. Katherine, marry Luca, Sergius.
You are bound by your word to us. Sergius folding
his arms, nothing binds me. Lunchley much pleased by this

(02:41:01):
piece of common sense. Saranov, your hand, My congratulations. These
heroics of yours have their practical side after all. To Luca, gracious,
young lady, the best wishes of a good Republican. He
kisses her hand, to Raina's great disgust, Catherine threateningly, Luca,

(02:41:23):
you have been telling stories, Luca, I have done, Reina,
no harm, Catherine haughtily Reina. Reina is equally indignant at
the liberty Luca. I have a right to call Horaina,
She calls me, Luca. I told Major Saranov she would

(02:41:45):
never marry him if the Swiss gentleman came back. Blunchley surprised, Hello, Luca,
turning to Reina, I thought you were fonder of him
than of Sergius. You know best whether I was right, Blenchley,
what nonsense, I assure you, my dear Major, My dear madam,

(02:42:07):
the gracious young lady simply saved my life. Nothing else.
She never cared to straws for me. Why bless my
heart and soul. Look at the young lady, and look
at me. She rich, young, beautiful, with her imagination full
of fairy princes and noble natures and cavalry charges, and
goodness knows what. And I a commonplace Swiss soldier who

(02:42:32):
hardly knows what a decent life is after fifteen years
of barracks and battles. A vagabond, a man who has
spoiled all his chances in life through an incurably romantic disposition.
A man Sergius, starting as if a needle had pricked him,
and interrupting Blenchley in incredulous amazement. Excuse me, Blenchley, what

(02:42:55):
did you say had spoiled your chances in life? Blunchley
promptly an incurably romantic disposition. I ran away from home
twice when I was a boy. I went into the
army instead of into my father's business. I climbed the
balcony of this house. When a man of sense would
have dived into the nearest cellar, I came sneaking back

(02:43:18):
here to have another look at the young lady. When
any other man of my age would have sent the
coat back petcough, my coat, Bletchley, Yes, that's the coat.
I mean, would have sent it back and gone quietly home.
Do you suppose I'm the sort of fellow a young
girl falls in love with? Why look at our ages?

(02:43:40):
I'm thirty four. I don't suppose the young lady is
much over seventeen. This estimate produces a marked sensation, all
the rest turning and staring at one another. He proceeds innocently.
All that adventure, which was life or death to me,
was only a schoolgirl's game to her chocolate creams and

(02:44:02):
hide and seek. Here's the proof. He takes the photograph
from the table. Now I ask you, would a woman
who took the affair seriously have sent me this and
written on it? Raina to her chocolate cream soldier a souvenir.
He exhibits the photograph triumphantly, as if it settled the

(02:44:23):
matter beyond all possibility of refutation. Pet cough, That's what
I was looking for. How the deuce did it get there?
Blunchley too, Raina complacently, I have put everything right. I hope,
gracious young lady Raina, in uncontrolled vexation, I quite agree

(02:44:44):
with your account of yourself. You are a romantic idiot.
Blunchley is unspeakably taken aback. Next time, I hope you
will know the difference between a schoolgirl of seventeen and
a woman of twenty three. Blenchley, stupefied twenty three, She

(02:45:04):
snaps the photograph contemptuously from his hands, tears it across,
and throws the pieces at his feet. Sergius with grim
enjoyment of Blinchley's discomfiture. Blenchley, my one last belief is gone.
Your sagacity is a fraud. Like all the other things.
You have less sense than even I have. Blenchley, overwhelmed

(02:45:29):
twenty three twenty three, He considers hum swiftly making up
his mind. In that case, Major Petkoff, I beg to
propose formerly to become a suitor of your daughter's hand
in place of Major Saranoff retired. Raina, you dare, Blinchley,

(02:45:53):
if you were twenty three. When you send those things
to me this afternoon, I shall take them seriously, loftily polite.
I doubt, sir, whether you quite realize either my daughter's position,
or that of Major Sergius Saranov, whose place you propose
to take. The pet Coughs and the Saranovs are known

(02:46:15):
as the richest and most important families in the country.
Our position is almost historical. We can go back nearly
twenty years. Petkof Oh, never mind that, Catherine to Blunchley,
we should be most happy, Blunchley, if it were only
a question of your position. But hang it. You know,

(02:46:36):
Rain is accustomed to a very comfortable establishment. Sergius keeps
twenty horses, Bluchley. But what on earth is the use
of twenty horses? Why it's a circus? Catherine severely, My daughter,
Sir is accustomed to a first rate stable Rain. Hush, mother,

(02:46:57):
you're making me ridiculous. Blenchley. Oh well, if it comes
to a question of an establishment, here goes He goes
impetuously to the table and seizes the papers in the
blue envelope. How many horses did you say, Sergius twenty nobles, Switzer, Blunchley,

(02:47:20):
I have two hundred horses. They are amazed. How many
carriages Sergius three, Blenchley, I have seventy twenty four of them?
Will hold twelve inside besides two in the box, without
counting the driver and conductor. How many tablecloths have you, Sergius?

(02:47:41):
How the deuce do I know? Blenchley? Have you four thousand, Sergius, No, Blenchley,
I have. I have nine thousand, six hundred pairs of
sheets and blankets, with two thousand, four hundred either down quilts.
I have ten thousand knives and forks, and the same
of dessert spoons. I have six hundred servants. I have

(02:48:04):
six palatial establishments, besides two livery stables, a tea garden
and a private house. I have four medals for distinguished services.
I have the rank of an officer and the standing
of a gentleman. And I have three native languages. Show
me any man in Bulgaria that can offer as much

(02:48:25):
Petcough with childish awe are you Emperor of Switzerland, Blunchley,
My rank is the highest known in Switzerland. I am
a free citizen, Catherine, then, Captain Blenchley. Since you are
my daughter's choice, I shall not stand in the way
of her happiness. Petkoff is about to speak. That is

(02:48:48):
major Petkoff's feeling. Also, Petkough, Oh, why shall be only too, glad.
Two hundred horses, whew, sergius, what says the lady Reina,
pretending to sulk. The lady says that he can keep
his tablecloth and his omnibuses. I am not here to

(02:49:11):
be sold to the highest bidder, Blunchley. I won't take
that answer. I appeal to you as a fugitive, a beggar,
and a starving man. You accepted me. You gave me
your hand to kiss, your bed to sleep in, and
your roof to shelter me. Reina, interrupting him, I did

(02:49:31):
not give them to the Emperor of Switzerland, Blunchley, That's
just what I say. He catches her hand quickly and
looks her straight in the face as he adds with
confident mastery, now tell us who you did give them to, Reina,
succumbing with a shy smile to my chocolate cream. Soldier

(02:49:56):
Blunchy with a boyish laugh of delight. That'll do, thank you,
looks at his watch and suddenly becomes businesslike. Time's up. Major.
You've managed those regiments so well that you are sure
to be asked to get rid of some of the
infantry of the Timok Division. Send them home by way
of long Polanka Sarranoff. Don't get married until I come back.

(02:50:20):
I shall be here punctually at five in the evening
on Tuesday, fortnight. Gracious ladies, Good evening. He makes them
a military bow and goes, Sergius, what a man, What
a man? Endo back Three End of Arms and the

(02:50:41):
Man by George Bernard Shaw

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Arms and The Man - George Bernard Shaw

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