Mr. Burgomaster, we shall occupy the town until further orders. You will have to find billets for two hundred and fifty men. For the present you will not be called upon to feed them. My two officers and I will ask leave to take up our quarters in your house. I know the ties that unite you to one of them. I hope that, thanks to these good relations, there will be no difficulties between us. Nevertheless, as is customary, considering the bad spirit which the civil population have hitherto displayed and in accordance with the formal instructions which I have received, I am obliged to look upon you as a hostage. If unfortunately—which Heaven forbid—an attempt were made upon the life of one of my officers or men, your own life would answer for it. But we need not, I trust, contemplate any such deplorable contingencies. If the civilians behave properly, they have nothing to fear. Whatever people may say, we are not barbarians. We are, above all things, just; but the necessities of war oblige us to be sometimes severe and always on our guard. In an hour from now I will send for you to the Town-hall to discuss the question of supplies and to fix the war-levy. THE BURGOMASTER The war-levy? I cannot see that, so far, we have done anything to justify a levy. THE MAJOR I beg your pardon. I may permit you to discuss the amount but not the principle. OTTO (_To the_ BURGOMASTER.) Please give the Major the large bedroom on the first floor, the one with a balcony overlooking the square, and the sitting-room leading into it. Lieutenant von Schaunberg and I will take the other two spare-rooms. Firmin, show the Major and the Lieutenant to their rooms. THE MAJOR I must beg you, Mr. Burgomaster, to put forward your luncheon hour by thirty minutes. We shall have the honour of taking our seats at your table at twelve o’clock precisely. THE BURGOMASTER Certainly, sir. (_Exeunt the_ MAJOR _and_ LIEUTENANT VON SCHAUNBERG, _with the Footman leading the way._) THE BURGOMASTER My poor Otto! OTTO Where is Isabelle? THE BURGOMASTER Upstairs in her room. She can’t have heard you. OTTO How is she? Not ill, I hope? THE BURGOMASTER Not exactly, but dreadfully depressed, extremely tired and very much affected by all these happenings.... I expect she is still asleep; and it is better not to wake her. OTTO How does she take the war? THE BURGOMASTER As we all do, with the utmost amazement, indignation and consternation. But she is naturally more upset than we, who can’t believe our eyes. My poor Otto, this is an ugly business they’ve let you in for!