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 is approaching the house when Raina returns wearing a hat and jacket in the height of the Vienna fashion of the previous year, 1885. Louka makes way proudly for her, and then goes into the house.)
RAINA.
I’m ready! What’s the matter? (Gaily.) Have you been flirting with Louka?
SERGIUS.
(hastily). No, no. How can you think such a thing?
RAINA.
(ashamed of herself). Forgive me, dear: it was only a jest. I am so happy to-day.
(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 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.
RAINA.
(disappointed). But we are 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.)
RAINA.
(following 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.