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Etext by Dagny
C 1985 From a story by Henry James
CHARACTERS Laura Wing Lady Davenant Lionel Berrington Selina Berrington Mr. Wendover Three women, two men PERIOD: London in the 1880s
Lady Davenant
And what is going on chez vous--who is there and what are they
doing?
Laura
There isn't anyone but me and the children--and the governess.
Lady Davenant
No parties--how do you live?
Laura
Oh, it doesn't take so much to keep me going. I believe there were
some people coming on Saturday, but they have been put off so they
can't come. Selina has gone to London.
Lady Davenant
And what has she gone to London for?
Laura
Oh, I don't know. She has many things to do.
Lady Davenant
And where is Mr. Berrington?
Laura
He has been away somewhere, but I believe he is coming back
tomorrow-- or the next day.
Lady Davenant
Or the day after? Do they never go away together?
Laura
Yes, sometimes--but they don't come back together.
Lady Davenant
Do they quarrel on the way?
Laura (somewhat despondent)
I don't know what they do, Lady Davenant. I don't understand. I
don't think they are very happy.
Lady Davenant
Then, they ought to be ashamed of themselves. They have got
everything so comfortable--what more do they want?
Laura
And the children are such dears.
Lady Davenant
Certainly--charming. Does the governess look after them properly?
Laura
Oh, yes. She's very good. But I think she is unhappy too?
Lady Davenant
Bless us! What a house! What is her problem?
Laura
She wants Selina to appreciate--to be there and see.
Lady Davenant
And Selina isn't. Hmmm. I hope she hasn't wept and told you so.
You know they are always crying, these governesses. Whatever line you
take, you shouldn't draw them out too much. They are always looking
for a chance. She should be thankful to be let alone. You mustn't be
too sympathetic. It's mostly wasted.
Laura
Oh, I see too much about me that I don't sympathize with to be
sympathetic.
Lady Davenant
Well, you mustn't be an impertinent little American either.
Laura
Ha, ha. In Selina's set people only harry each other from morning
till night with extravagant accusations.
Lady Davenant
You must learn how to live with fortitude.
Laura
That's why I come to you.
Lady Davenant
It's the only thing that counts in the long run. Don't feel too
much. And how is your sister bearing it?
Laura
Oh, Lady Davenant!
Lady Davenant
Have you spoken to her?
Laura
Spoken to her?
Lady Davenant
About her behaviour. I daresay you haven't. You Americans have
such a lot of false delicacy. I suppose Selina wouldn't speak to you
if you were in her place--and yet she is capable of-- (not finishing
her thought) It's a bad house for a girl.
Laura
It only gives me a horror.
Lady Davenant
A horror of your sister? That's not what one should aim at. You
ought to get married--and the sooner the better. My dear child, I have
neglected you dreadfully.
Laura
Much obliged. But if you think marriage looks like a happy state
to me after what I see!
Lady Davenant
You ought to get out of your situation.
Laura
Leave Selina altogether? That would be cowardly. I can't abandon
her.
Lady Davenant
It isn't the business of little girls to serve as parachutes for
fly away wives! Let her go!
Laura (horrified)
Let her go?
Lady Davenant
Or, let her stay, then. Only get out of that house. You can come
to me whenever you like. I don't know another girl I would say that
to.
Laura (bursting into tears)
Oh, Lady Davenant!
Lady Davenant
Don't cry, child, or I shall take back my invitation. Don't feel
bad about what I have said about Selina. We shouldn't feel more for
people than they feel for themselves. She has no tears.
Laura
Oh, she has, she has.
Lady Davenant
Then she's worse than I thought. I hate sentimentalists.
Laura
She's so changed--so changed.
Lady Davenant
No, no. It's a new birth. The butterfly has emerged from its
cocoon. Or is it a wasp?
Laura
You never knew my mother. When I think of my mother----
Lady Davenant
I daresay she was very nice. It would take that to account for
you. Such women as Selina are always easily accounted for. I didn't
mean it was inherited--that sort of thing skips about.
Laura
Everything is so changed--you don't know. And now to be so
dependent, so helpless, so poor.
Lady Davenant
Have you nothing at all?
Laura
Only enough to pay for my clothes.
Lady Davenant
That's a good deal for a girl. You are uncommonly dressy, you
know.
Laura (abashed)
I don't want to look that way at all.
Lady Davenant
American's can't help it. But I admit you're not as smart as
Selina.
Laura
Yes, isn't she splendid. And the worse she is, the better she
looks.
Lady Davenant
Oh, my child, if the bad ones looked as bad as they are.
Laura
It was the last thing I expected--that I should be ashamed.
Lady Davenant
Oh, keep your shame till you have more need for it.
Laura
If anything were to happen publicly, I should die.
Lady Davenant
It would be very bad, I daresay, but it wouldn't prevent me from
taking you in.
Laura
To come to that!
Lady Davenant
Ha, ha.
Laura
I feel your kindness--but I hate the idea of having to be
protected.
Lady Davenant
Most women are only too thankful--and I am bound to think you are
hard to please. Only you must stop this crying--this isn't a crying
country.
Laura
No, one must have courage here. To marry a man under these
circumstances would take a great deal of courage.
Lady Davenant
Any reason is good enough that keeps a woman from being an old
maid. Besides, you will like him.
Laura
He must like me first.
Lady Davenant
There's the American again! It isn't necessary. You are too proud,
too romantic. You expect too much.
Laura
I'm too proud for what I am--that's certain. But I don't expect
anything. That's the form my pride takes. Please give my love to Mrs.
Berrington. I am so--so sorry.
Lady Davenant
She wishes it had been you. I happen to know that.
Laura
I don't understand.
Lady Davenant
That you, rather than Selina, had married her son.
Laura
I wouldn't have married him.
Lady Davenant
Don't say that, or it won't be easy to help you. I depend on you
not to refuse anyone so good.
Laura
If he were good, Selina would not be this way. She would be
better.
Lady Davenant
Very likely. And, he would be better if you had married him.
Lionel is an idiot, but you're clever enough for two.
Laura
And you for fifty, dear Lady Davenant.
Lady Davenant
What is it your clothes cost you?
Laura
I don't know exactly. It takes almost everything that is sent from
America. I am a wonderful manager and Selina does want one to be
dressed.
Lady Davenant
Doesn't she pay any of your bills?
Laura
Why? She gives me everything I need.
Lady Davenant
Does she ever give you any money?
Laura
I wouldn't take it. They need everything they have. Their life is
tremendously expensive.
Lady Davenant
That I'll believe! What has happened to Selina's money?
Laura
Selina brought Lionel a very considerable fortune. And every penny
of it was paid.
Lady Davenant
Yes. I know it was. Mrs. Berrington told me it was most
satisfactory. That is not always the case with the fortunes you young
ladies are supposed to bring.
Laura
Why do your men marry for money?
Lady Davenant
Why, indeed, my dear? And before your troubles what did your
father give you for personal expenses?
Laura
He gave us everything we asked--we had no particular allowance.
Lady Davenant
And I daresay you asked for everything.
Laura
No doubt, we were every dressy.
Lady Davenant
No wonder your father went bankrupt--for he did, didn't he?
Laura
He was protecting others.
Lady Davenant
Well, I know nothing about these things. And after their
"reverses" your parents lived, I think, only a short time?
Laura
It was a short time, but it seemed long and painful.
Lady Davenant
I feel as if I were cross questioning you, which God forbid! But,
there is one thing I should like to know. Did Lionel help you?
Laura
They sent us money repeatedly. It was her money.
Lady Davenant
If you have been poor you know what poverty is. Has it made you
afraid to marry a good but poor man?
Laura
I'm afraid of so many things this morning, I don't know where my
fears end.
Lady Davenant
I have no patience with the highstrung way you take things. But, I
have to know, child.
Laura
Don't try to know any more horrors.
Lady Davenant
I think you will fidget me. (pause) Mind what I tell you, my dear.
Let her go. You can't save her.
Laura
I must.
BLACKOUT
Lionel
I didn't expect to see you here.
Laura
I suppose you know Selina is away.
Lionel
Oh, yes--I know where Selina is. Selina's in Paris, my dear,
that's where Selina is.
Laura
In Paris?
Lionel
Yes, in Paris, my dear. God bless her! Where else do you suppose?
Laura
Did she write you?
Lionel
Write me? When did she ever write to me? No. I saw someone who
came over last night. That's how I know my wife's in Paris.
Laura
I suppose it's a pleasant season there.
Lionel
I daresay it's very pleasant indeed--I daresay it's awfully
amusing. Would you like to run over with me for a few days, Laura?
Just to have a go at the theatres? I don't see why we should always be
moping at home. Now, who do you suppose is with Selina in Paris? Who
do you suppose she was seen with?
Laura
Wouldn't you rather have some tea downstairs?
Lionel
No, no. I want to stay here. I like this place. It's the prettiest
room in the house. What does she want to go to Paris for when she has
got such a charming house? Now, can you answer me that, Laura?
Laura
I suppose she has gone to get some new clothes, her dressmaker
lives in Paris, you know.
Lionel
Dressmaker? Clothes? Why, she's got whole rooms full of clothes.
Hasn't she got whole rooms full of them?
Laura
Speaking of clothes, I must go and change mine.
Lionel
Now, I want you to guess who she's in Paris with.
Laura
She has many friends. I couldn't possibly.
Lionel
Oh, she has many, many "friends" as you so delicately put it. It's
the ruin of any woman, you know. I can't think what she has got in her
head. She used to be so discreet. My dear girl, she's with Lady
Ringrose. What do you say to that?
Laura
With Lady Ringrose?
Lionel
They went over on Tuesday and they are knocking about there alone.
Laura
I don't know Lady Ringrose.
Lionel
I rather hope not--I promise you she has never put her foot in
this house! If Selina expects to bring her here, I should like a half
hour's notice. Yes, half an hour would do. She might as well have been
seen with-- She has at least fifty lovers.
Laura
I don't understand you, let me alone, please.
Lionel
I have something very particular to say to you.
Laura
I'd rather not.
Lionel
I never know how to talk to you. You're not a child any more--and
you're very good which makes it very difficult. I wish Selina had been
a little more like you.
Laura
I don't care for any compliments at my sister's expense.
Lionel
You know what you sister is as well as I do.
Laura
I know you don't love each other. It's too dreadful.
Lionel
Love each other! She hates me as she'd hate a hump on her back.
She never opens her mouth but she insults me.
Laura
Is that what you wished to say to me?
Lionel
Don't pretend it's my fault-- I've given her everything.
Laura
Everything but an example. You don't care for anything in the
world but to amuse yourself. No more does she--but it's worse in a
woman.
Lionel
I put up with it, Laura. Do me justice.
Laura
You are all blind and senseless. There is a curse on you and there
will be a judgement.
Lionel
What do you propose--that I stay home and read the Bible while
she--?
Laura
It wouldn't hurt you--once in a while.
Lionel
There will be a judgement on her--that's very sure, and I know
where it will be delivered. Have I done the half to her that she has
done to me?
Laura (impatiently)
I don't know what she's done.
Lionel
That's exactly what I want to tell you. She's doing it now.
Laura
You should make yourself respected.
Lionel
What has Selina to do with respect? You know all about her--you
see everything--you're not so green as that comes to.
Laura
Is there any use in my sitting up and listening to this?
Lionel
I want you to help me.
Laura
To help you--how?
Lionel
I'll tell you. I'm sorry, I've been drinking. I beg your pardon. I
won't do anything unspeakable.
Laura
You're naturally upset that Selina is in Paris.
Lionel (bitterly)
I hope she'll stay a month.
Laura (bewildered)
I don't understand you.
Lionel
I think you do. It suits my book! You know yourself--he's not the
first.
Laura
What are you talking about?
Lionel
Charlie Crispin, that's who.
Laura
What has he to do?
Lionel
He has everything to do. Isn't he there with her?
Laura
How should I know? You said Lady Ringrose.
Lionel
Lady Ringrose is merely a beard--and hardly a good one. Charlie is
Selina's lover. And, he isn't the first. Good ole Charlie.
Laura
Why do you call him Charlie?
Lionel
Doesn't he call me Lion? He's a dear friend, is Charlie.
Laura
You're the most extraordinary people. I suppose you have a certain
amount of proof before you say such things to me?
Lionel
Proof! I've oceans of proof. And, not only about Crispin--but
about Deepmere.
Laura
And, pray, who is Deepmere?
Lionel
Never heard of him? He's gone to India with a broken heart and
many fond memories of Selina. He's my dearest friend. I have so many
touching friends. They've all been touching my wife, though. Strange.
I don't say this for my pleasure, Laura.
Laura
Don't you indeed! I thought you were so glad just now.
Lionel (with feeling)
I'm glad to prove it, but not to tell it. I want to finish it.
There's nothing you can't find out today if you go to the right
places. Well, it's no matter what measures I've taken. But she's up a
tree if ever a woman was. Now we'll see.
Laura
It's not true, it's not true, it's not true.
Lionel
If she could get off by your saying it--
Laura
Get off--what do you mean?
Lionel
Why, what do you suppose I'm talking about? I'm going to haul her
up and have it out.
Laura
You're going to make a scandal!
Lionel
I'm going to put a stop to a scandal.
Laura
You won't do anything so horrible.
Lionel
Horrible--but less so that going on this way.
Laura
It's not true, it's not true, it's not true.
Lionel
I wish it weren't, Laura. I really do. Of course, you stand up for
your sister. But you ought to have some sense of justice. It's gone
beyond what I can stand.
Laura
Be quiet, be quiet, and leave her to me. I will answer for her.
Lionel
Answer for her? You?
Laura
She'll be better--she'll be more reasonable--there'll be no more
talk of these horrors. Leave her to me. Let me take her away
somewhere.
Lionel
Take her away. You wouldn't come within a mile of her if you were
my sister.
Laura
Oh, shame, shame!
Lionel
Laura, I've swallowed all I can swallow.
Laura
You want me to help you against my own sister?
Lionel
It's an accident of birth. Why jump in the mud to save her? It is
mud, my dear.
Laura
Then, you have no proof!
Lionel
What?
Laura
If you want me to come forward, you have no proof.
Lionel
I have ample proof. I'm just giving you notice. I don't want you
to get hurt more than can be helped. You had much better think of
protecting her children than protecting her. She's finished.
Laura
Oh, Mother, Mother.
(Laura pushes past him, crying.)
Lionel
Selina, what a bitch you are.
BLACKOUT
Laura
Are you telling me the perfect truth when you say Captain Crispin
was not there?
Selina
The perfect truth! My poor child, the things you do say! However,
as it is only you, I don't mind satisfying your clumsy curiosity. I
haven't the least idea whether Captain Crispin was in Paris or not. I
know nothing of his movements--he doesn't keep me informed of his
whereabouts. As far as I am concerned he might as well have been at
the North Pole. I neither saw him nor heard of him. I didn't see the
end of his nose.
Laura
I wish I believed you.
Selina
I never heard of such a thing, my dear, you have emancipated
yourself from all civilized conventions, and I suppose I must
congratulate you.
(Laura says nothing in reply and stares at her sister.)
Selina
And pray, if he was in Paris, what is there so monstrous? He is in
London when I am in London. What is so awful?
Laura
Awful, awful, too awful.
Selina
My dear, you do indulge in a style of innuendo for a respectable
woman! You have ideas that when I was a girl--
Laura
Don't talk about my innuendoes and my ideas--I've heard you
indulge yourself fully. What ideas did I ever have till I came here?
Don't pretend to be shocked, Selina, that's too cheap a defence. If
one talks about your affairs, my dear, one mustn't be too particular.
Selina
To be insulted by one's little sister. Merciful heavens!
Laura
Selina, Selina, what are you doing to us?
Selina
Us? Are you in league with my husband?
Laura
Lionel spoke to me. He told me he knows for sure. He has
proof.
Selina
Lionel spoke to you? And what is it he knows?
Laura
That Captain Crispin was in Paris and that you were with him.
Selina
He said this to you?
Laura
Yes, and much more. I don't know why he should make a secret of
it.
Selina (enraged)
The disgusting beast! To talk to you in such a way.
Laura
It wasn't what he said. It was the fact he believed it. That made
an impression on me.
Selina
Did it indeed? I'm infinitely obliged to you! You are a tender,
loving, little sister.
Laura
Yes, I am. If it's tender to have worried myself over your affairs
till I'm blind and sick. I hope you are prepared to meet him. He's
going to make such a scandal!
Selina
Divorce?
Laura
Yes, and he'll try to keep the children. I know it.
Selina
Well, you are a poor dear innocent after all. Lionel would be
about as able to divorce me--even if I were the most abandoned of my
sex, as he would be to swim the Channel.
Laura
I know nothing about that.
Selina
So I perceive. But you must shut your eyes very tight. Would you
like to know why his hands are tied?
Laura
Not in the least.
Selina
Just a few of the reasons--heaven forbid I should attempt to go
over them all--there are millions!
Laura
What's the use?
Selina
His own life is too base for words--his talking about me would be
sickening if it weren't grotesque. Should you like me to tell you to
what he has stooped--to the very gutter--to the charming history of
his relations with--
Laura
No--I don't want to hear it. Especially as you were just now so
pained by license of my own allusions.
Selina
You listen to him then. But it suits your purpose not to listen to
me. Are you in love with him?
Laura
Oh, Selina, Selina!
Selina
Where have your eyes been? You can be clever enough when it suits
you. And now, perhaps, the carriage is ready, you'll let me go about
my duties.
Laura
Will you swear?
Selina
Will I swear what?
Laura
That you didn't lay eyes on Captain Crispin in Paris?
Selina
You are really too odious. But I will swear--to get away from you.
I never laid eyes on him.
Laura
By our parent's memories.
Selina
So be it. And by any other member of the family you like. (going)
I suppose it's no use if you care to drive with me?
Laura
No, thank you. I don't care to. I shall walk.
Selina
I suppose from that, that your friend Lady Davenant has gone.
Laura
No, she's still here.
Selina
That's a bore.
BLACKOUT
Selina
Has Lionel come in?
Laura
No.
Selina
Ah!
Laura
I have sat up on purpose. I want particularly to speak to you.
Selina
Ah! Your behaviour is too monstrous What on earth do you want to
make the servants suppose?
Laura
As if one could put my thoughts into their heads that are not
there already! Your maid has outlived surprises!
Selina
Will you be so good as to inform me if you are engaged to Mr.
Wendover?
Laura
Engaged to him? I've only seen him three times.
Selina
And that is what you usually do with gentlemen you have seen three
times?
Laura
So, you don’t' pretend it wasn't you we met?
Selina
Hardly--although I denied it to my friend. For your sake. If
Lionel were to know it, he wouldn't tolerate it--so long as you live
with us.
Laura
I shall not live with you long. You are horrible! I wouldn't have
believed it that you are so bad.
Selina
It's different for a married woman--especially when she's married
to a cad. It's in a girl that such things are odious--scouring London
with strange men. I am not bound to explain to you--I have my
reasons--I have my conscience. It was the oddest of all things, our
meeting in that place--I know that as well as you. But, it was not
your finding me that was out of the way. It was my finding you with
your remarkable escort! That was incredible. I pretended not to
recognize you so that the gentleman I was with shouldn't see you,
shouldn't know you. He questioned me and I repudiated you. You may
thank me for saving you. You had better wear a veil next time--one
never knows what may happen.
Laura
That's advice you ought to take yourself. You lied to me. You said
you were going to visit Lady Collingwood.
Selina
I met an acquaintance at Lady Collingwood's and he came up to town
with me.
Laura
I suppose it was your eagerness to save your companion the shock
of seeing me in my dishonor that led you to steal our cab?
Selina
Your cab?
Laura
Your delicacy was expensive for you.
Selina
You don't mean you were knocking about in cabs with him?
Laura
Oh, stop it, Selina. You don't really mean a word of what you're
saying about me--though that doesn't make it any less unspeakably
base.
Selina
Oh, let me alone! (going out)
Laura
Where are you going, where are you going, where are you going?
Selina
I don't pretend to be better than other women--but you do.
Laura
What do you intend to do? I have a right to know that.
Selina
To do? I shall do as I have always done--not so badly as it seems
to me.
Laura
I need to know what is likely to happen so that I can think of my
own situation. If anything is going to happen, I want to be out of it.
Selina
What are you talking about? What do you allude to as happening?
Laura
Why, it seems to me there's nothing left for you but to run off
with him. If there is a prospect of that insanity--
Selina (crying)
Go away, go away, leave me alone!
Laura
Of course I infuriate you. But I can't watch you rushing to your
ruin without trying to drag you back.
Selina
Oh, you don't understand anything about anything. Staying here is
my ruin.
Laura
I certainly don't understand how you can give such a tremendous
handle to Lionel.
Selina
I give him no handle and you don't know what you are talking
about! I know what I am doing, and what becomes me, and I don't care
if I do. He is welcome to all the handles in the world for all that he
can do with them!
Laura
Think of your children!
Selina
Have I ever thought of anything else? Who has made them what they
are? Is it their lovely father? Isn't it only for them that I am
trying to keep myself alive?
Laura
Die for them--that would be better.
Selina (icily)
Don't interfere between me and my children. And for God's sake,
cease to harry me!
Laura
I don't know what has become of your mind.
Selina (suddenly collapsing in tears and clutching her
sister)
Forgive me, help me, help me. I won't see him again, I swear.
BLACKOUT
CURTAIN
Laura (rising)
This is an unexpected pleasure.
Lady Davenant
Now and then I pay a visit to prove I am not too old. Besides, you
haven't been to see me in some time.
Laura
I knew that you were almost always out of town and we've been away
a lot, too. And then, I've had my hands full. I've been a great deal
with my sister, more than before.
Lady More than before?
Laura
Well, a kind of estrangement we had about a certain matter.
Lady Davenant
And now you have made it all up?
Laura
Well, we've been able to talk about it--and that has cleared the
air. We have gone about together a good deal. She has wanted me
constantly with her.
Lady Davenant
That's very nice. And where has she taken you?
Laura
Oh, it's I who have taken her.
Lady Davenant
Where do you mean? To say her prayers?
Laura
Well, to some concerts and the National Gallery.
Lady Davenant
My dear child, you are too delightful. You are trying to reform
her? By Beethoven and Bach, by Rubens and Titian?
Laura
She is very intelligent about music and pictures--she has
excellent ideas.
Lady Davenant
And you have been trying to draw them out. That is very
commendable.
Laura
I think you are laughing at me, but I don't care.
Lady Davenant
Because you are succeeding in raising her tone?
Laura
Oh, Lady Davenant, I don't know, and I don't understand anything
anymore--I have given up trying.
Lady Davenant
That's what I recommended to you to do before.
Laura
You told me to let her go.
Lady Davenant
Evidently you haven't taken my advice.
Laura
How can I, how can I?
Lady Davenant
Of course, how can you? And if she doesn't rub off, it's so much
gained. But even if she should, won't that nice young man remain? I
hope Selina hasn't taken him away from you or you from him.
Laura
You mean Mr. Wendover?
Lady Davenant
Yes, he's a nice boy. You brought him to see me.
Laura
Yes, he is nice. Selina introduced me to him. She said he was a
bit of a dose. He is, but I like him. But what nice young man would
look at me if anything should happen?
Lady Davenant
Humph! That won't prevent him. It isn't for your sister that he
loves you, is it?
Laura
He doesn't love me at all.
Lady Davenant
Ah, then he does! Doesn't he come to the house? Doesn't he say
anything?
Laura
He comes to the house very often.
Lady Davenant
And don't you like him?
Laura
Yes, very much. More than I did at first. But he is a dose as
Selina said.
Lady Davenant
A dose.
Laura
He's a bore. He comes from Plymouth, you know. We call him
Plymouth Rock.
Lady Davenant
Well, if you liked him well enough to bring him straight to see
me--I suppose that means you now are highly pleased with him.
Laura
He's a gentleman. And very reliable.
Lady Davenant
So he seems to me. But, why then, doesn't he speak out?
Laura
Maybe he doesn't love me.
Lady Davenant (shrewdly)
Is he in love with your sister?
Laura (evenly)
I sometimes think so.
Lady Davenant
And does she encourage him?
Laura
Hardly. She detests him.
Lady Davenant
Oh, then, I like him. I shall immediately write to him to come to
me. I shall appoint an hour and give him a piece of my mind.
Laura
If I believed that, I should kill myself.
Lady Davenant
You may believe what you like, but I wish you didn't show your
feelings so in your eyes. When I was young, I managed to be happy
whatever happened, and I am sure I looked so.
Laura
For you it was different. You were safe.
Lady Davenant
I don't know. Some of us were very wild. So was I, for that
matter. But I didn't cry about it. If you will come and stay with me
tomorrow, I will take you in.
Laura
I'm doing some good here. You know how kind I think you--but I
have promised Selina not to leave her.
Lady Davenant
Don't trust her. She's spiteful.
Laura
I know, I know.
Lady Davenant
And what is Lionel doing?
Laura
I don't know. He's very quiet.
Lady Davenant
Doesn't it please him--his wife's improvement? Of course, if you
really are protecting her, I can't count on you--
Laura
Selina, I'm afraid, can protect herself very well, if she
doesn't lose her head.
Lady Davenant
Oh, by the way, his address--you must tell me that.
Laura
His address?
Lady Davenant
Your young man, Mr. Wendover. But, it's no matter. I still have
his card.
Laura
Lady Davenant, you won't do anything so loathsome.
Lady Davenant
Why is it loathsome if he comes so often? It's rubbish his caring
for Selina when you are there.
Laura
Why is it rubbish when so many people do?
Lady Davenant
Oh, well, he's different.
Laura
He likes to observe--and he thinks Selina is very interesting.
Lady Davenant
In spite of her dislike of him?
Laura
Oh, he doesn't know that.
Lady Davenant
Why not? He isn't a fool.
Laura
Oh, I've made it seem--
Lady Davenant
Mercy--how fond of him you must be!
BLACKOUT
Lady Davenant
Is it very bad?
Laura
Have you heard already?
Lady Davenant
I haven't heard anything. Is it very bad?
Laura
We don't know where Selina is--and her maid's gone.
Lady Davenant
Lord, what an ass! And whom has she persuaded to take her, Charles
Crispin?
Laura
We suppose, we suppose.
Lady Davenant
And he's another.
Laura
It's all a black darkness--
Lady Davenant
My dear, it's a blessing. Now you can live in peace.
Laura
In peace! With my wretched sister leading such a life?
Lady Davenant
I am very sorry to say anything in favor of such things, but in
the end it makes things easier. Don't worry, you take it too hard. She
has gone abroad.
Laura
I don't know anything about it. I only know she is gone. I was
with her at the Opera and she left me there with Mr. Wendover--without
a word.
Lady Davenant
Well, that's better. I hate 'em when they make parting
scenes--it's too mawkish.
Laura
Lionel is watching them. Agents, detectives. I don't know
what. He's been at it a long time. I didn't know it.
Lady Davenant
What is the use of detectives now? Isn't he satisfied to be rid of
her?
Laura
He wants everyone to know it.
Lady Davenant
And, has he told his mother?
Laura
I think so. He went to see her as I was coming here. She'll be
overwhelmed.
Lady Davenant
Overwhelmed! Not a bit of it! When did anything overwhelm her?
Laura
Lionel expects news tonight. As soon as I know where she
is, I shall start.
Lady Davenant
Start--for where?
Laura
To go to her--to do something.
Lady Davenant
Whatever can you do? Bring her back?
Laura
Lionel won't take her back. He wants his divorce.
Lady Davenant
Yes, and she wants hers. I would think they're both happy.
Laura
It's awful, awful, awful.
Lady Davenant
Tell him to come and see me.
Laura
You won't be able to influence Lionel.
Lady Davenant
Perhaps. But, my dear child, come and stay with me.
Laura
Oh, I can't desert her. I can't abandon her.
Lady Davenant
What a way to put it. Hasn't she abandoned you?
Laura
She has no heart.
Lady Davenant
I though that was established long ago. I've had a room prepared
for you. When did she leave you?
Laura
We went to the Opera together last night. With Mr. Wendover. Then
she excused herself and she didn't come back. Then something dreadful
happened.
Lady Davenant
Did he kiss you?
Laura
Goodbye, I'm going, I'm going. I've got to get away--to get away.
Lady Davenant
From me, or Mr. Wendover?
Laura
I begged him to marry me. To save me.
Lady Davenant
Dear, dear.
Laura
And he wasn't in the least interested. I was totally mistaken. I
thought he liked me. When I realized that Selina had run away, when I
felt sure she wasn't coming back, I wanted protection--so I asked him.
Lady Davenant
You are ill.
Laura
He didn't want me at all. He never even thought of me that way.
Lady Davenant
You are in a fever.
Laura
Yes, I am ill.
Lady Davenant
And what did he say to you?
Laura
He behaved like a perfect gentleman.
Lady Davenant
The brute!
Laura
It was all my fault.
Lady Davenant
I wish I could give him a piece of my mind.
Laura
Pleas, please.
Lady Davenant
You are going to bed--now!
(Lady Davenant leads the feebly protesting Laura away as the lights
dim.)
BLACKOUT
Lady Davenant
Sit there. No, not that one. Come nearer. We must talk low. My
dear sir, I won't bite you.
Wendover
This is very comfortable.
Lady Davenant (moves in on him)
You ought to have come before, you know.
Wendover
This was the first opportunity.
Lady Wendover Never mind. That isn't why I sent for you. I have something very particular to say to you. Do you know what a fine girl she is?
Wendover (clearing his throat)
Laura?
Lady Davenant
Certainly. She is upstairs in bed.
Wendover
Upstairs in bed!
Lady Davenant
Don't be afraid--I'm not going to send for her. She has not the
least idea that I sent for you. She wouldn't like it. You must promise
me never, never, never, to let her know. It is quite my own idea.
Besides, I am very clever about people--and I liked you that day she
brought you over here.
Wendover
You do me great honor.
Lady Davenant
I'm glad you're pleased! It doesn't matter much--but have you any
money? Are you rich?
Wendover
A little. Not much.
Lady Davenant
Well--she'll probably like you the better for it. Americans are so
strange.
Wendover
I really don't understand.
Lady Davenant
She told me what happened between you last night at the Opera.
Wendover
I wish someone would tell me what happened. She began asking the
strangest questions. Then she insisted on leaving by herself.
Lady Davenant
Surely, you understood her?
Wendover (honestly)
No. I'm not sure I did. She was hysterical, I thought.
Lady Davenant
She says your behaviour was perfect.
Wendover
She turned against me. She said she never wanted to see me again.
Lady Davenant
And you would like to see her?
Wendover
Ah, Lady Davenant, you must leave that to me.
Lady Davenant
Don't be afraid to tell me. I'm meddling, of course. I'm meddling.
I sent for you here to meddle. Who wouldn't for that creature? She
makes one melt.
Wendover
I don't know what she thinks she said.
Lady Davenant
She thinks she asked you to marry her.
Wendover
She doesn't really? She asked some very confused and confusing
questions, that's all.
Lady Davenant
And do you?
Wendover
Do I wish to marry her? Truthfully, I hadn't given it a thought
before last night.
Lady Davenant
We have different ideas over here. Why did you go to her so much?
Wendover
For company.
Lady Davenant
Do you know Selina has bolted?
Wendover
Bolted?
Lady Davenant
I don't know what you call it in America. She's run off.
Wendover
She has left her husband?
Lady Davenant
Neither more nor less. With a fellow named George Crispin. She did
it last night.
Wendover
I saw something was wrong when she didn't return. But I was at a
loss --I'm not very quick at these things.
Lady Davenant
Your state is more gracious--but certainly you are not quick if
you could call so often and not see through Selina. Selina doesn't
bother too much about conventions.
Wendover
Mr. Crispin, whoever he is--was never there.
Selina
Oh, she was a clever hussy.
Wendover
She was fond of amusement.
Lady Davenant
That's a pretty phrase. Laura knew it was coming. That's what
makes her sick now. She is afraid people will associate her--
Wendover
Miss Wing isn't associated-- I'm extremely sorry to hear of Mrs.
Berrington's misconduct.
Lady Davenant
It will all come out.
Wendover
How dreadful.
Lady Davenant
Laura has too much family feeling. She exaggerates the
badness of it, the stigma of her relationship. Good gracious--at that
rate where would some of us be? But those are her ideas and they are
absolutely sincere.
Wendover
I am very sorry for her.
Lady Davenant
But not in love with her?
Wendover
I don't say that. But she drove me away from her with a kind of
ferocity. I will never see her again.
Lady Davenant
Gammon!
BLACKOUT
Lionel
Well, you don't look so good, I'm sorry to say.
Laura
You know where she is?
Lionel
Oh, yes. She left a clear trail.
Laura
I've got to know.
Lionel
I know why you want to know, and I'm not going to help you make a
fool of yourself.
Laura
Please, Lionel.
Lionel
If you want to help, you can stay and take care of the children.
The governess has given notice.
Laura
Selina will try to get them.
Lionel
Let her try, let her try.
Laura
You must tell me, or I'll kill myself. I give you my word.
Lionel
That's the tone Selina used to take. Surely you don't want to
imitate her? I haven't the least objection to telling you what you
want to know. I have made my arrangements and very soon you will be
subpoenaed.
Laura
Subpoenaed?
Lionel
As a witness.
Laura
On your side?
Lionel
You are on my side. You tried to help.
Laura
Can they force me to come?
Lionel
Unless you leave the country.
Laura
That's exactly what I want to do.
Lionel
That won't help Selina.
Laura
Where is she, where is she?
Lionel
They're at Brussels--at the Hotel de Flandres. They appear to be
very happy.
Laura
Are you telling me the truth?
Lionel
I do many things, but I don't lie. It's a mistake to go to her.
Laura
I won't see her with him.
Lionel
If you're ready for perjury--
Laura
I'm ready for anything.
Lionel
I think I've been good to you--kind.
Laura
Certainly you have been kind to me.
Lionel
If you want to defend her, it's best to keep away from her.
Laura
It's my duty to go to her. You don't understand. I owe it to my
father and mother.
Lionel
What about the children?
Laura
Oh, the children will be all right. Say you won't, Lionel.
Lionel
I won't what?
Laura
Do the awful thing you say.
Lionel
Divorce her! The devil I won't!
Laura
Then why do you speak of the children? You have no pity for them.
Lionel
You, yourself, just said they'll be all right. Dear Laura, don't
go. If you'll stay quietly here, I'll--I won't call you. I promise
you. I give you my word I won't.
Laura
I must.
Lionel
But, honestly, do you suppose I'll ever let her in the house
again?
Laura
I must, I must, I must.
Lionel (turning and with finality)
Well, then, goodbye.
BLACKOUT
Wendover
Don't turn away. Do see me, do see me! I asked for Lady
Davenant--they told me she was at home--but it was you I wanted. You
look very ill.
(Laura tries to rush past him but ends up crushed against him.)
Wendover
If you would let me tell you what I want to say--
Laura
Let me go--you persecute me.
Wendover
You aren't being fair.
Laura
Let me go, let me go.
Wendover
Where are you going? Can I go with you?
Laura
Never, never, never. I am going to my sister.
Wendover
Give it up. Stay here and let me talk to you.
Laura
What have you to say? It's my own business! Go away, go away, go
away.
Wendover
Do you suppose I would speak this way if I didn't love you?
Laura
What is there to care about? If I don't go to her--where else
shall I go?
Wendover
Come to me--you are ill, you are mad!
Laura (rushing out)
If you follow me, I will kill myself.
Wendover (hesitating as Lady Davenant enters)
What shall I do?
Lady Davenant
Follow her, but be patient, very patient.
CURTAIN