Raina —Raina —Why , where —Heavens ! child , are you out in the night air instead of in your bed ? You 'll catch your death . Louka told me you were asleep . Such news . There has been a battle ! A great battle at Slivnitza ! A victory ! And it was won by Sergius . Of course : he sent me the news . Sergius is the hero of the hour , the idol of the regiment . You can n'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 . Ca n't you see it , Raina ; our gallant splendid 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 him when he comes back . Our ideas real ! What do you mean ? Do n't ask me for promises until I know what I am promising . A poor figure ! Shame on you ! The Servians have Austrian officers who are just as clever as our Russians ; but we have beaten them in every battle for all that . I must see that everything is made safe downstairs . Oh , no , dear , you must keep them fastened . You would be sure to drop off to sleep and leave them open . Make them fast , Louka . Quite the wisest thing you can do , my love . Good-night . Go to bed , dear ; and do n't think of them . Raina , darling , are you safe ? Have you seen anyone or heard anything ? I have found a Russian officer , thank Heaven : he knows Sergius .Sir , will you come in now ! My daughter is ready . , Here ! Then he must have climbed down from the — Well !He 's fast asleep . The brute ! Sir !Sir ! !Sir !! ! The poor dear ! Raina !! ! My dear Paul , what a surprise for us .Have they brought you fresh coffee ? The war over ! Paul : have you let the Austrians force you to make peace ? Peace ! You could have annexed Servia and made Prince Alexander Emperor of the Balkans . That 's what I would have done . Ah ! Oh , my usual sore throats , that 's all . Nonsense , Paul ! You are a barbarian at heart still , Paul . I hope you behaved yourself before all those Russian officers . Ah ; but you did n't tell them that we have an electric bell in it ? I have had one put up . You touch a button ; something tinkles in the kitchen ; and then Nicola comes up . Civilized people never shout for their servants . I 've learnt that while you were away . Oh , that 's absurd , Paul : I do n't believe really refined people notice such things . Oh , do n't shout , Paul : it really is n't nice . He certainly ought to be promoted when he marries Raina . Besides , the country should insist on having at least one native general . My dear Sergius ! You look superb — splendid . The campaign has improved you . Everybody here is mad about you . We were all wild with enthusiasm about that magnificent cavalry charge . How so ? You shall not remain so , Sergius . The women are on your side ; and they will see that justice is done you . Oh , you must withdraw it ! Yes : she listens for it . It is an abominable habit . And so you 're no longer a soldier , Sergius . A Swiss ? What was he doing in the Servian army ? Oh , Raina , what a silly question ! She is right , Sergius . If such women exist , we should be spared the knowledge of them . Oh , Paul , can n't you spare Sergius for a few moments ? Raina has hardly seen him yet . Perhaps I can help you to settle about the regiments . You stay here , my dear Sergius : there 's no hurry . I have a word or two to say to Paul .Now , dear, come and see the electric bell . I am sorry to disturb you , children ; but Paul is distracted over those three regiments . He does not know how to get them to Phillipopolis ; and he objects to every suggestion of mine . You must go and help him , Sergius . He is in the library . Imagine their meeting that Swiss and hearing the whole story ! The very first thing your father asked for was the old coat we sent him off in . A nice mess you have got us into ! Little beast ! What little beast ? Do n't talk nonsense . Tell me the truth , Raina . How long was he in your room before you came to me ? You cannot forget ! Did he really climb up after the soldiers were gone , or was he there when that officer searched the room ? You think ! Oh , Raina , Raina ! Will anything ever make you straightforward ? If Sergius finds out , it is all over between you . Well , upon my word ! And what should I be able to say to your father , pray ? Oh , if you were only ten years younger !Well ? A Servian ! How dare he —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 do n't you tell your master ? He is in the library with Major Saranoff . Why do you come to me ? “ Captain Bluntschli ! ” That 's a German name . Swiss ! What is he like ? Oh , Heavens , he 's come to return the coat ! Send him away — say we 're not at home — ask him to leave his address and I 'll write to him — Oh , stop : that will never do . Wait !The master and Major Saranoff are busy in the library , are n't they ? Bring the gentleman out here at once .And be very polite to him . Do n't delay . Hereleave that here ; and go straight back to him . Louka ! Is the library door shut ? If not , shut it as you pass through . Stop !He will have to go out that wayTell Nicola to bring his bag here after him . Do n't forget . Yes , here , as soon as possible .Be quick !Oh , how — how — how can a man be such a fool ! Such a moment to select !Captain Bluntschli , I am very glad to see you ; but you must leave this house at once .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 a foreigner : you do not feel our national animosities as we do . We still hate the Servians : the only effect of the peace on my husband is to make him feel like a lion baulked 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 the chivalrous gentleman and soldier you are , leave at once before he finds you here ? Oh , you must not think of going back that way .This is the shortest way out . Many thanks . So glad to have been of service to you . Good-bye . It will be sent on . You will leave me your address . Oh Heavens ! Oh , quite as a friend , Paul . I was just asking Captain Bluntschli to stay to lunch ; but he declares he must go at once . My dear Raina , do n't you see that we have a guest here — Captain Bluntschli , one of our new Servian friends ? Oh , whilst you were away . It is her latest fancy . My orders ! Why should I order you to bring Captain Bluntschli 's luggage out here ? What are you thinking of , Nicola ? Oh , never mind , Paul , do n't be angry ! Of course I shall be only too delighted ifCaptain Bluntschli really wishes to stay . He knows my wishes . You can stop interrupting , Paul . What is that ? My dear Paul , how absurd you are about that old coat ! It must be hanging in the blue closet where you left it . Nicola : go to the blue closet and bring your master 's old coat here — the braided one he usually wears in the house . Yes , Paul ? Done , Paul . Do n't be foolish , Paul . An Arabian mare will cost you 50 , 000 levas . Where was it , Nicola ? Paul ! I daresay I had better . You will only splutter at them . What does this mean ? Marry Louka ! Sergius : you are bound by your word to us ! Louka : you have been telling stories . Raina ! I doubt , sir , whether you quite realize either my daughter 's position or that of Major Sergius Saranoff , whose place you propose to take . The Petkoffs and the Saranoffs are known as the richest and most important families in the country . Our position is almost historical : we can go back for nearly twenty years . My daughter , sir , is accustomed to a first-rate stable . Then Captain Bluntschli , since you are my daughter 's choice , I shall not stand in the way of her happiness .That is Major Petkoff 's feeling also .