Enter CATHERINE, breathless.
Cath. I—I—I’ve overtaken him at last. Sir—Mr. Serjeant, one word! What news from Finland?
Serj. The best—the war’s over. Peace is proclaimed.
Cath. (clasping her hands joyfully.) Peace! happy sound!—Peace! The war’s over!—Peace!—And the regiment of Helmaar—(The Serjeant appears impatient to get away)—Only one word, good serjeant: when will the regiment of Helmaar be back?
Serj. All that remain of it will be home next week.
Cath. Next week?—But, all that remain, did you say?—Then many have been killed?
Serj. Many, many—too many. Some honest peasants are bringing home the knapsacks of those who have fallen in battle. ‘Tis fair that what little they had should come home to their families. Now, I pray you, let me pass on.
Cath. One word more: tell me, do you know, in the regiment of Helmaar, one Christiern Aleftson?
Serj, (with eagerness.) Christiern Aleftson! as brave a fellow, and as good as ever lived, if it be the same that I knew.
Cath. As brave a fellow, and as good as ever lived! Oh, that’s he! he is my husband—where is he? where is he?