Part 21

Medora. Nay, my fright Was at your weapons--not your arms. [Takes pistols from his belt.

That’s right. Say, are they loaded?

Pasha. Powdered, balled, and capped.

Medora. Good gracious! [Lays them down at window.--Aside.

Now, I think you’re nicely trapped. [She dances playfully round him, he follows with his hands raised supplicatingly.

Medora. Oh, what an attitude! stay, keep them so. [Takes a scarf from her waist and ties them, he laughing.

Beautiful, charming! Hah! he’s there! [CONRAD appears at window, L.

Pasha. Holloa! Guards! treason!

Medora. [Catching up pistols.] Peace! another word, you die!

Conrad. Medora! quick! come, by this window fly! Say, can you squeeze these narrow bars between?

Medora. I can.

Conrad. Oh, joy! she wears no crinoline. [MEDORA gets through window.

Pasha. One word, one question!

Medora. Well?

Pasha. That pistol, drop it.

Medora. Is that the question? peace, then, or I’ll pop it. [They disappear.--The PASHA goes to the window.--A pistol is discharged without.

Pasha. Gone!--treason!--murder!--help! My guards, what ho!

GUARDS rush in, L. 1 E., GULNARE and LADIES, R.

Gul. What means this cry?

Pasha. My bride has fled.

Gul. Not so; Here stands your bride.

Pasha. ’Tis false!

Gul. This ring behold! Ladies, salute your queen.

Pasha. Done! swindled! sold!

SCENE VII.--A Wood.

SERENA and SUBMARINA rise through traps, R. and L.

Sub. Good night, Serena, how d’ye do?

Serena. Why who On earth would ever dream of seeing you?