SERGEANT. How much have you? VERA. Will you let these men sit down if I give you this? (_Takes off her peasant's necklace._) It is all I have; it was my mother's. SERGEANT. Well, it looks pretty enough, and is heavy too. What do you want with these men? VERA. They are hungry and tired. Let me go to them? ONE OF THE SOLDIERS. Let the wench be, if she pays us. SERGEANT. Well, have your way. If the Colonel sees you, you may have to come with us, my pretty one. VERA (_advances to the Nihilists_). Sit down; you must be tired. (_Serves them food._) What are you? A PRISONER. Nihilists. VERA. Who put you in chains? PRISONER. Our Father the Czar. VERA. Why? PRISONER. For loving liberty too well. VERA (_to prisoner who hides his face_). What did you want to do? DMITRI. To give liberty to thirty millions of people enslaved to one man. VERA (_startled at the voice_). What is your name? DMITRI. I have no name. VERA. Where are your friends? DMITRI. I have no friends. VERA. Let me see your face! DMITRI. You will see nothing but suffering in it. They have tortured me. VERA (_tears the cloak from his face_). Oh, God! Dmitri! my brother! DMITRI. Hush! Vera; be calm. You must not let my father know; it would kill him. I thought I could free Russia. I heard men talk of Liberty one night in a cafe. I had never heard the word before. It seemed to be a new god they spoke of. I joined them. It was there all the money went. Five months ago they seized us. They found me printing the paper. I am going to the mines for life. I could not write. I thought it would be better to let you think I was dead; for they are bringing me to a living tomb. VERA (_looking round_). You must escape, Dmitri. I will take your place. DMITRI. Impossible! You can only revenge us. VERA. I shall revenge you. DMITRI. Listen! there is a house in Moscow-- SERGEANT. Prisoners, attention!--the Colonel is coming--young woman, your time is up. (_Enter COLONEL, AIDE-DE-CAMP and PETER._) PETER. I hope your Highness is pleased with the venison. I shot it myself. COLONEL. It had been better had you talked less about it. Sergeant, get ready. (_Gives purse to PETER._) Here, you cheating rascal! PETER. My fortune is made! long live your Highness. I hope your Highness will come often this way. COLONEL. By Saint Nicholas, I hope not. It is too cold here for me. (_To VERA._) Young girl, don't ask questions again about what does not concern you. I will not forget your face. VERA. Nor I yours, or what you are doing. COLONEL. You peasants are getting too saucy since you ceased to be serfs, and the knout is the best school for you to learn politics in. Sergeant, proceed. (_The COLONEL turns and goes to top of stage. The prisoners pass out double file; as DMITRI passes VERA he lets a piece of paper fall on the ground; she puts her foot on it and remains immobile._)