SCENE II.
Mrs. Czeska. Stella. George Pretwic. Count Drahomir.—The count has his left arm in a sling.—A servant.
Servant (opening the door).—The princess is in the drawing-room.
Stella.—How late you are to-day!
George.—It is true. The sun is already setting. But we could not come earlier. Do you not know that there has been a fire in the neighboring village? We went there.
Czeska.—We have heard of it. It seems that several houses were burned.
George.—The fire began in the morning, and it was extinguished only now. Some twenty families are without a roof and bread. We are also late because Karol had an accident.
Stella (with animation).—It is true. Your arm is in a sling!
Drahomir.—Oh, it is a mere trifle. If there were no more serious wounds in the world, courage would be sold in all the markets. Only a slight scratch—
Stella.—Mr. Pretwic, how did it happen?
George.—When it happened I was at the other end of the village, and I could not see anything on account of the smoke. I was only told that Karol had jumped into a burning house.
Stella.—Oh, Lord!
Drahomir (laughing).—I see that my deed gains with distance.
Czeska.—You must tell us about it yourself.
Drahomir.—They told me that there was a woman in a house of which the roof had begun to burn. Thinking that this salamander who was not afraid of fire was some enchanted beauty, I entered the house out of pure curiosity. It was quite dark owing to the smoke. I looked and saw that I had no luck, because the salamander was only an old Jewish woman packing some feathers in a bag. Amidst the cloud of down she looked like anything you please but an enchantress. I shouted that there was a fire, and she shouted too, evidently taking me for a thief—so we both screamed. Finally I seized hold of my salamander, fainting with fear, and carried her out, not even through a window, but through the door.
George.—But you omitted to say that the roof fell in and that a spar struck your hand.
Drahomir.—True—and I destroyed the dam of my modesty, and will add that one of the selectmen of the village made a speech in my honor. It seems to me that he made some mention of a monument which they would erect for me. But pray believe that the fire was quenched by George and his people. I think they ought to erect two monuments.
Czeska.—I know that you are worthy of each other.
Stella.—Thank God that you have not met with some more serious accident.
Drahomir.—I have met with something very pleasant—your sympathy.
Czeska—You have mine also—as for Mr. Pretwic, I have a bone to pick with him.
George—Why, dear madam?
Czeska.—Because you are a bad boy. (To Stella and Drahomir.) You had better go to the Prince, and let us talk for a while.
Stella.—Mother, I see you wish to flirt with Mr. Pretwic.
Czeska.—Be quiet, you giddy thing. May I not compete with you? But you must remember, you Mayflower, that before every autumn there is a spring. Well, be off!
Stella (to Drahomir).—Let us go; Papa is in the garden and I am afraid that he is feeling worse. What a pity it is that the doctor is not here.