Arms and the Man

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 company in your present undress? Raina, suddenly conscious of her nightgown, instinctively shrinks and gathers it more closely about her. He watches her, and adds, pitilessly. It’s rather scanty, eh? She turns to the ottoman. He raises his pistol instantly, and cries. Stop! She stops. Where are you going? Raina 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 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 Serbian officer can be so cynically and selfishly unchivalrous, they are startled by 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. Raina meets his eye with unflinching scorn. Suddenly he starts, listening. 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, flings the cloak to her, exclaiming, sincerely and kindly. No use: I’m done for. Quick! wrap yourself up: they’re coming! Raina Catching the cloak eagerly. Oh, thank you. She wraps herself up with great relief. He draws his sabre and turns to the door, waiting. Louka Outside, knocking. My lady, my lady! Get up, quick, and open the door. Raina Anxiously. What will you do? 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 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 a sleepy, disturbed air, she opens the door. Louka enters excitedly. Louka A man has been seen climbing up the water-pipe to your balcony⁠—a Serbian. 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. Why have they been let in? Catherine Coming in hastily. Raina, darling, are you safe? Have you seen anyone 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 someone 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 the balcony. Will you and the gracious lady your mother please to withdraw whilst we search? Raina Petulantly. Nonsense, sir, you can see that 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 balcony. A couple of shots are fired right under the window, and a bullet shatters the glass opposite Raina, who winks and gasps, but stands her ground, whilst 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 to Raina, trying to resume his polite manner. Could anyone have got in without your knowledge? Were you asleep? Raina No, I have not been to bed. The Officer Impatiently, coming back into the room. Your neighbours have their heads so full of runaway Serbians that they see them everywhere. Politely. Gracious lady, a thousand pardons. Good night. Military bow, which Raina returns coldly. Another to Catherine, who follows him out. Raina closes the shutters. She turns and sees Louka, who has been watching the scene curiously. Raina Don’t leave my mother, Louka, whilst the soldiers are here. Louka glances at Raina, 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 the curtain, sheathing his sabre, and dismissing the danger from his mind in a businesslike 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 Serbian. I am not a native