Act III

Early next morning the sergeant, at the British headquarters in the Town Hall, unlocks the door of a little empty panelled waiting room, and invites Judith to enter. She has had a bad night, probably a rather delirious one; for even in the reality of the raw morning, her fixed gaze comes back at moments when her attention is not strongly held.

The sergeant considers that her feelings do her credit, and is sympathetic in an encouraging military way. Being a fine figure of a man, vain of his uniform and of his rank, he feels specially qualified, in a respectful way, to console her.

SERGEANT
You can have a quiet word with him here, mum.

JUDITH
Shall I have long to wait?

SERGEANT
No, mum, not a minute. We kep him in the Bridewell for the night; and he's just been brought over here for the court martial. Don't fret, mum: he slep like a child, and has made a rare good breakfast.

JUDITH [incredulously]
He is in good spirits!

SERGEANT
Tip top, mum. The chaplain looked in to see him last night; and he won seventeen shillings off him at spoil five. He spent it among us like the gentleman he is. Duty's duty, mum, of course; but you're among friends here. [The tramp of a couple of soldiers is heard approaching.] There: I think he's coming. [Richard comes in, without a sign of care or captivity in his bearing. The sergeant nods to the two soldiers, and shows them the key of the room in his hand. They withdraw.] Your good lady, sir.

RICHARD [going to her]
What! My wife. My adored one. [He takes her hand and kisses it with a perverse, raffish gallantry.] How long do you allow a brokenhearted husband for leave-taking, Sergeant?

SERGEANT
As long as we can, sir. We shall not disturb you till the court sits.

RICHARD
But it has struck the hour.

SERGEANT
So it has, sir; but there's a delay. General Burgoyne's just arrived--Gentlemanly Johnny we call him, sir--and he won't have done finding fault with everything this side of half past. I know him, sir: I served with him in Portugal. You may count on twenty minutes, sir; and by your leave I won't waste any more of them. [He goes out, locking the door. Richard immediately drops his raffish manner and turns to Judith with considerate sincerity.]

RICHARD
Mrs. Anderson: this visit is very kind of you. And how are you after last night? I had to leave you before you recovered; but I sent word to Essie to go and look after you. Did she understand the message?

JUDITH [breathless and urgent]
Oh, don't think of me: I haven't come here to talk about myself. Are they going to--to--[meaning "to hang you"]?

RICHARD [whimsically]
At noon, punctually. At least, that was when they disposed of Uncle Peter. [She shudders.] Is your husband safe? Is he on the wing?

JUDITH
He is no longer my husband.