THE PRINCESS CASAMASSIMA

By Frank J. Morlock Based on a novel by Henry James

  • ACT I
  • Scene I. Pinnie's Millinery shop.
  • Scene II. Rosy's bedroom.
  • ACT II
  • ACT III
  • ACT IV
  • ACT V
  • This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit in 
    print or other media may be made without the express consent of the 
    Copyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned about 
    performance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, or 
    audio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance fee 
    or the like is charge. Permissions should be addressed to: Frank 
    Morlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA or 
    frankmorlock@msn.com. Other works by this author may be found at 
    http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130
    
    Etext by Dagny
    Characters:
     
    Pinnie
    Hyacinth Robinson
    Mr. Vetch
    Mr. Poupin
    Madame Poupin
    Captain Sholto
    Millicent Henning
    Paul Muniment
    Rosy Muniment
    The Princess Casamassima
    The Prince
    Lady Aurora
    Madame Grandoni
    
    Seven women, six men.
    

    ACT I

    Scene I. Pinnie's Millinery shop.

    It is a poor seamstress's shop in a London slum about 1885. Pinnie is a middle-aged woman, very thin, and possessed of a wiry, puritanical energy. Pinnie is puzzled by the appearance of the fashionably dressed, blowsy Millicent Henning. Indeed old Pinnie is in a state of partial shock, not knowing whether to admit the girl or not, or what she can possibly want of her.

    Milly
    Well, you'll have to guess my name before I tell you. Won't you let me in? I don't want to order anything, I only came to inquire after your 'ealth. Now, tell me, how's old Hyacinth? I should like so much to see him.

    Pinnie
    Old Hyacinth?

    Milly
    Perhaps you call him Mr. Robinson today—you always wanted him to hold himself so high. But to his face I'll call him the way I always did, you wait and see.

    Pinnie
    Bless my soul, you must be that awful little 'Enning girl!

    Milly (indignant)
    Well! I'm glad you finally recognized me. I suppose I was awful. (brightly) But, I ain't so bad now, hey? I has a call to make in these parts, and it came into my 'ead to look you up. I don't forget old friends.

    Pinnie
    You've improved as I couldn't have believed.

    Milly
    Well—you haven't changed. You were always calling me something 'orrid.

    Pinnie
    I daresay it doesn't matter to you now, does it?

    Milly
    Oh, I'm all right now.

    Pinnie
    You were a pretty child— I never said contrary to that. But I had no idea you'd turn out like this. You're too tall for a woman.

    Milly
    Well, I enjoy beautiful 'ealth. Everyone thinks I'm at least twenty- two.

    Pinnie
    But how did you get so splendid?

    Milly
    Laws! Just luck. I got work as a shop girl in a fashionable store and now they use me as a model. We have to be beautifully dressed— I love to look nice.

    Pinnie
    And how are your parents?

    Milly
    Gone to 'Ell, I'm afraid. They drifted off years ago, and I'm on my own.

    Pinnie (suspiciously)
    You haven't come here to see me.

    Milly
    I'm glad to see you. I told you I came to ask after my sweetheart. Wot's become of him?

    Pinnie
    He's an apprentice bookbinder.

    Milly
    In bookbinding? Laws! Do you mean he works? Well, I always knew he would have something to do with books. But, I didn't think he would ever follow a trade.

    Pinnie
    A trade? Mr. Robinson considers it one of the fine arts.

    Milly
    Very likely it's good work. Better than this, no doubt.

    Pinnie (crossly)
    I haven't so much work as I used to have, if that's what you mean. My eyes aren't so good and neither is my health these days.

    Milly
    You need some new ideas about fashion. You need someone to help you. I can see you're using the same old styles as ever.

    Pinnie
    I've had helpers in the past. None of them turned out any good.

    Milly
    Maybe I can get you some business—you always did excellent sewing— but, you ain't got no sense of fashion. I'll bring the patterns.

    Pinnie (some sense of Pinnie's poverty can be gained from the fact that she would like to reject such help out of hand but swallows her pride and says quietly)
    That would be very kind.

    Milly
    Mind you give my love to Hyacinth. I don't care if you know that the only reason I stopped was in hope of seeing him again. There's no shame in wanting to see my childhood sweetheart. Do give him my best love, and tell him I hope he'll come and see me. I can see you won't tell him anything. What are you afraid of? I won't hurt your precious Hyacinth. I'll leave my card for him all the same. (extracting a visiting card from her purse)

    Pinnie (amazed at the little Henning girl's social standing without being in any way delighted by it)
    My word!

    Millie What do you think I want to do with him? I could swallow him in one bite.

    Pinnie
    You needn't think I shall put myself out to keep him in the dark. I shall certainly tell him you've been here, and exactly how you strike me.

    Milly
    Of course, you'll say something nasty like you used to when I was a child. You used to let me 'ave it then, you know.

    Pinnie
    Ah, well, you're very different now, when I think what you've come from.

    Milly
    What I've come from? Just because you're stuck in this slum, don't expect me to stay 'ere! You've had to stay in it yourself, so you might speak civilly of it! And pray, what have you come from yourself, and what has he come from? The mysterious Mr. Hyacinth Robinson, whose father was 'Lord Fredrick and whose mother was—

    Pinnie (jumping up)
    I've nothing to tell you. Leave my shop!

    (Hyacinth Robinson, a finely built, young man of about twenty enters unseen by Pinnie, but visible to Millicent.)

    Milly
    Gracious, Hyacinth Robinson—is that you?

    (Pinnie turns around, then immediately, crestfallen, goes to her sewing desk.)

    Hyacinth
    Were you talking about me just now?

    Milly
    When I asked where you 'ad come from? (innocently) That was because we heard you in the 'all. I suppose you've come from your work.

    Hyacinth
    You used to live in the Place—you were the girl that always wanted to kiss me. Didn't she live in Lomax Place, Pinnie?

    Milly
    Do you know what you look like—you look for all the world like a plastered up Frenchman! Don't he look like a funny little Frenchie, Mrs. Pysnet?

    Hyacinth
    Have you come back to live in the Place?

    Milly
    Heaven forbid, that I should ever do that! I must live near the establishment in which I am employed.

    Hyacinth
    And what establishment is that now? Is it the Cock and Bull, or the Elephant and Castle?

    Milly
    A pub? Well, you haven't got the manners of a Frenchie.

    Pinnie (under her breath)
    Whorehouse more likely!

    Milly
    I don't care what a man looks like so long as he knows a lot. That's the look I like.

    Pinnie
    Miss 'Enning wouldn't live in Lomax Place for the world. She thinks it too low.

    Hyacinth
    So it is, it's a beastly hole.

    Milly
    Right you are!

    Hyacinth
    Don't you think I know something?

    Milly
    You? Oh, I don't care a straw what you know!

    Pinnie
    I think you had better shut the door.

    Hyacinth
    Did you come here on purpose to see us?

    Milly
    I thought I'd just give it a look. I had an engagement not far off. But I wouldn't have believed anyone who said I'd find you just where I left you.

    Pinnie (sourly)
    We needed you to look after us!

    Hyacinth
    Oh, you're such a success.

    Milly
    None of your rattling impudence. I'm as good a girl as there is in London. If you were to offer to see me home, I'd tell you I don't knock about that way with gentlemen.

    Hyacinth
    I'll go with you as far as you like.

    Milly
    Well—all right—but it's only because I knew you as a baby.

    Hyacinth
    Pinnie, let's have some tea.

    (Pinnie, mortified, obeys and goes out to get the tea.)

    Milly
    What a way to treat your mother. Oh—I forgot she ain't your mother. How stupid I am! I keep forgetting.

    Hyacinth
    My mother died many years ago; she was an invalid. But Pinnie has been very good to me.

    Milly
    My mother's dead, too. She died very suddenly. I daresay you remember her in the Place. But I've had no Pinnie.

    Hyacinth
    You look as if you can take care of yourself.

    Milly
    Well, I'm very healthy. What became of Mr. Vetch? We used to say that if Miss Pysnet was your mama, Mr. Vetch was your papa. We used to call him Miss Pysnet's young man.

    Hyacinth
    He's her young man still. He's our best friend. He lives by his fiddle—as he used to. In fact, he got me the place I'm now in.

    Milly
    I should have thought he would get you a place at his theatre.

    Hyacinth
    At his theatre? But, I'd be no use in the theatre. I don't play any instrument.

    Milly
    I don't mean in the orchestra, you baby. You'd look ver nice in a fancy costume. Is Miss Pysnet some relation? What gave her any rights over you?

    Hyacinth (uneasily)
    Miss Pysnet's an old friend of the family. My mother was very fond of her and she was fond of my mother. Mr. Vetch has changed his lodgings: he moved out of Seventeen three years ago. He couldn't stand the other people in the house. There was a man who played the accordion.

    Milly (reproachfully)
    He might have put you into something better than a bookbinder's.

    Hyacinth
    He wasn't obliged to put me into anything. After all, he's not even a relation of Pinnie's. And he has trouble enough supporting himself. I think he never married Pinnie—assuming he could persuade her—because he has no money.

    (Pinnie returns with the teapot and servings. After placing everything on the table, she stalks out.)

    Milly
    Friendly, ain't she?

    Hyacinth
    She's very protective of me. She's always afraid I'll marry beneath me.

    Milly
    All the same, I didn't expect to find you in a bookbinder's.

    Hyacinth
    Where would you have looked to find me? Pity you couldn't have told me in advance, I'd have endeavoured to meet your expectations.

    Milly
    Do you know what they used to say in the Place? They say your father was a Lord. A real English Lord.

    Hyacinth
    Very likely. That's the kind of gossip they spread in that precious hole.

    Milly
    Well, perhaps he was.

    Hyacinth
    He might have been Prime Minister for all the good it has done me.

    Milly
    Fancy, your talking as if you didn't know!

    Hyacinth (politely, but savagely)
    Finish your tea. Don't mind how I talk.

    Milly
    Well, you 'ave got a temper. I should've thought you'd be a clerk to a lawyer, or at a bank.

    Hyacinth
    Do they select them for their tempers?

    Milly
    You know what I mean. You used to be so clever. I never thought you'd follow a trade.

    Hyacinth
    I'm not clever enough to live on air.

    Milly
    You might be, really, for all the tea you drink! Why didn't you go in for some profession?

    Hyacinth (bitterly)
    How was I to go in? Who the devil was to help me?

    Milly
    Haven't you got an connection?

    Hyacinth
    Are you trying to trick me into boasting of my aristocratic connections? Sorry, I don't have any.

    Milly
    Well, I'm sorry you're only a journeyman.

    Hyacinth
    So am I! But the art of bookbinding is an exquisite art, I'll say that. Even if it doesn't pay well.

    Milly
    So Pinnie told me! Have you got some samples? I'd like to look at some.

    Hyacinth (condescendingly)
    You wouldn't know how good they are.

    Milly (irritated)
    That's just the way you used to talk to me years ago in the Place.

    Hyacinth
    I don't care about that. I hate all that time.

    Milly
    If you come to that, so do I! You always used to have your nose in a book. I never thought you'd work with your hands.

    Hyacinth
    Depend upon it, I won't do it an hour longer than I have to.

    Milly
    What will you do then?

    Hyacinth
    You'll see someday. I had to do something. I couldn't go on living off Pinnie. I took what I could get. Thank God I help her a little now.

    Milly
    You talk like a reg'lar gentleman.

    Hyacinth
    I'm not. I'm just an obscure little beggar born of a French woman to a supposed English Lord—living in a squalid little corner of London. And so, I'm a bookbinder.

    Milly
    I didn't think I could ever fancy anyone in that line.

    Hyacinth
    Allow me to see you out.

    Milly
    I should be delighted. (aside) A reg'lar gentleman.

    (Exit Milly and Hyacinth out the street door. After a moment, enter Mr. Vetch with Poupin, Madame Poupin, and Paul Muniment.)

    Vetch
    Pinnie was good enough to let us meet here.

    (They close the shutters. Poupin coughs terribly, and is helped by his wife.)

    Vetch
    Are you all right, my dear Poupin?

    Poupin
    I'm suffering extremely, but we must all suffer so long as the social question is so abominably, iniquitously neglected.

    Madame
    Ah yes, the politicians never think of the poor. There are times when I ask myself ho long it will go on.

    Poupin (passionately)
    It will go on till the measure of their infamy is full. Till the day of justice! Till the day the disinherited shake the globe!

    Madame
    Oh, we always see things continue; we never see them change.

    Poupin
    We may not see it, but They will see it.

    Paul
    What do you mean, shake the globe?

    Poupin
    I mean that force will make the bourgeoisie go down to their cellars and hide—behind their barrels of wine and their heaps of gold.

    (Hyacinth quietly reenters; he is expected and the discussion continues without interruption. Someone says "You're late.")

    Madame
    And, in this country, I hope in their coal bins. La, la, we shall find them even there.

    Poupin
    Eighty-nine was an irresistible force.

    Paul
    Yes, I know, I know you fought them. But everything is yet to be tried.

    Poupin
    Oh, the trial will be on a grand scale. Soyez tranquille.

    Madame (indicating Hyacinth and Paul)
    You ought to present these gentlemen.

    Poupin
    Monsieur Hyacinth is a gifted child—a child in whom I take a tender interest—a child who has an account to settle. Oh, a thumping big one! Isn't that so, mon petit?

    Hyacinth
    Oh, I only want them to leave me alone.

    Poupin
    He's very young.

    Madame
    He's the person we have seen in this country that we like the best.

    Paul
    Perhaps he's French.

    Hyacinth
    Oh, I'm nothing.

    Madame
    Do you mean to say you're not as good as anyone else in this world? I should like to see—!

    Paul
    We all have an account to settle, don't you know?

    Madame
    It is a shame not to take Monsieur Hyacinth in.

    Poupin
    All in good time, all in good time. Monsieur Hyacinth knows that I count on him, whether I make him an intern today or tomorrow.

    Hyacinth
    What do you mean "intern"?

    Poupin
    Do not trifle with state secrets. You are too young.

    Madame
    One is never too young to do one's bit.

    Paul
    Can you keep a secret?

    Hyacinth
    Is it a plot? A conspiracy?

    Poupin
    He asks as if he were asking for plum pudding. It's terribly serious, my child.

    Paul
    It's a group of workers to which he (indicating Poupin) and I, and a good many others belong. (Poupin scowls) There's no harm in telling him that.

    Madame
    I advise you not to tell it to Miz Pinnie; she's quite in the old ideas.

    Vetch
    I quite agree. Pinnie thinks we are merely having a social gathering.

    Hyacinth
    If you've got some plan, something to which one can give one's self,— I think you might tell me.

    Poupin
    It's an accident you haven't met Paul here before.

    Madame
    How could they have met, when Mr. Paul never comes? He doesn't spoil us!

    Paul (seriously)
    Well, you see, I have my little sister at home to take care of. This afternoon, luckily, a lady came to sit with her.

    Madame
    A lady—a real lady?

    Paul
    Oh yes, every inch a lady.

    Madame
    Why do you permit them to thrust themselves in on you, simply because you have the misfortune to be poor? It seems to be the custom in this country—but it wouldn't suit me, or any other person from France at all. I should like to see one of ces dames, one of the real ones, coming to sit with me.

    Paul
    Oh, you're not a cripple. You've got the use of your legs, whereas Rosy—

    Madame
    Yes, and my tongue!

    Paul
    This lady looks after several others in our tenement—and reads to my sister.

    Madame
    It would enrage me! You are too patient, you English.

    Paul
    We need patience. We shall never do anything without that.

    Poupin
    You're perfectly right about that. You cannot say it too often. It will be a tremendous job. Only the strong will prevail.

    Paul (to Hyacinth)
    Madame says we ought to know each other—

    Hyacinth
    Will you tell me all about your plot?

    Paul (warily)
    It's not a plot. I don't care much for plots. It's just taking a stand on two or three points.

    Poupin
    A stand, that's what we must make—a stand! (he begins coughing terribly)

    Madame
    Between us, we've thrown him into a fever. We'd better go.

    Paul (to Hyacinth as the Poupins prepare to leave with Vetch)
    My mane is Paul Muniment.

    Hyacinth
    And what's your trade?

    Paul
    I work for a firm of wholesale chemists at Lambeth.

    Hyacinth
    And where do you live?

    Paul
    On the far side of London. The south actually.

    Hyacinth
    Are you going home now?

    Paul
    Yes, I'm going to toddle.

    Hyacinth
    And may I toddle with you?

    Paul
    If you like, but you won't learn about any plots. Still coming?

    Hyacinth
    Yes.

    Paul
    Come along. You can meet my sister,—her name's Rosy. You've never met anyone like her.

    BLACKOUT

    Scene II. Rosy's bedroom.

    The room is dark.

    Paul (from outside)
    Hallo, have you gone to roost?

    Rosy
    Oh dear, no: we're sitting in the dark. Lady Aurora's so kind. She's still here.

    (Lady Aurora lights a lamp. Rosy is revealed in bed.)

    Paul (entering with Hyacinth)
    Well now, that's beautiful. You'll have a party then, for I've brought someone else. We're poor, you know, but honest, and not afraid of showing up. We can manage a candle.

    Aurora
    Oh, I brought some candles; we could have a light if you wished.

    Paul
    Rosy, girl, I've brought you a visitor. This young man has walked all the way from Lisson Grove to make your acquaintance. (to Hyacinth) You mustn't mind her being in bed—she's always in bed. Just the way a slippery little trout's in the water.

    Rosy
    Dear me, if I didn't receive company because I was in bed, there wouldn't be much use, would there, Lady Aurora?

    Aurora
    Oh, mercy, no; it seems quite the natural place! And it's such a lovely bed, such a comfortable bed.

    Rosy
    Indeed it is, when your Ladyship makes it up.

    Paul (to Lady Aurora)
    You haven't been dong that again?

    Aurora
    Who would if I didn't? It only takes a minute if someone knows how.

    Paul
    I can do it well enough.

    Aurora
    Oh, I've no doubt whatever.

    Paul
    This is Mr. Hyacinth Robinson. That won't tell you much, but you'll like him; he's all right. I was introduced by the Poupins.

    Rosy
    Your name, like mine, represents a flower. Mine is Rose Muniment, and her Ladyship is Aurora Lanhish. That means the morning or the dawn; it's the most beautiful of all, don't you think? Isn't it right she should be called dawn when she brings light wherever she goes? The Poupins are the charming foreigners I've told you about. (this last to Lady Aurora)

    Aurora
    Oh, it's so pleasant knowing a few foreigners. They're often so fresh.

    Paul
    Mr. Robinson's a sort of foreigner—and he's definitely fresh. Speaks French very well.

    Aurora
    Oh, there are so many good books in French.

    Hyacinth
    Rather a torment when you have no way of getting at them.

    Aurora
    Well, I have a good deal of my own, and I should be glad to give you some.

    Hyacinth, Well, thank you very much.

    Rosy
    Isn't that just like her ladyship—wanting to make up to people for being less lucky than herself. She'd take the shoes off her feet for anyone that might take a fancy to them.

    Aurora
    I'll stop coming to see you, if you're going to take me up like this for everything. It's the least I can do—to give what I have.

    Rosy
    Lady Aurora is ashamed of being rich. She's a tremendous socialist. Worse even than Paul.

    Hyacinth
    I wonder if she's worse than me?

    Paul
    Hullo, I didn't know you were so advanced. Have we been entertaining an angel unawares?

    Hyacinth
    You didn't know I was so advanced? Why, I thought that was the principal thing about me.

    Paul
    I thought the principal thing about you was that you knew French.

    Aurora
    I should like so very much to know—it would be interesting—how far exactly you do go?

    Hyacinth
    I think I go about as far as anybody. I think I see my way to conclusions from which even the Poupins would shrink. Poupin, at any rate—I'm not so sure about his wife.

    Aurora
    I should like so much to know her.

    Paul
    The principal conclusion Mr. Robinson sees his way to is that your father ought to have his head chopped off and carried on a pike.

    Aurora
    Ah, yes. The French Revolution.

    Hyacinth
    I don't know anything about your father.

    Rosy
    Didn't you ever hear of Lord Inglefield?

    Aurora
    He's one of the best.

    Paul
    Very likely, but he's a landlord with a park of five thousand acres all to himself, while we're bundled together in a sort of kennel.

    Rosy
    I've told you often enough that I don't go along with you at all.

    Paul
    Everything points to great changes in the country, but if once our Rosy's against them—how can we be sure?

    Rosy
    Her Ladyship may think I'm as good as her—but she can't make me believe it.

    Aurora
    I think you're much better than I—and I know very few people as good as you. Apropos of revolution—if there were to be a—disturbance—I believe the upper classes would behave quite differently. I don't think they'd all go abroad.

    Hyacinth
    Go abroad?

    Aurora
    I mean they'd stay and resist. They'd fight very hard.

    Rosy
    I'm sure they'd win, too.

    Aurora
    They'd struggle until they were beaten.

    Hyacinth
    And you think they'd be beaten in the end?

    Aurora
    Oh, yes. But I hope it won't come to that.

    Paul
    I infer you all talk it over amongst yourselves—to settle the line you'll take.

    Rosy
    But I detect something in her tone which I think is a great mistake. If her Ladyship thinks to be let off easily for the concession she's made in advance—she can save herself the trouble. The people won't be bit wiser. They won't know or care. So don't waste your time or good nature. When you're up so high as that you've got to stay there. The best thing you can do is hold up your head! I can promise your Ladyship I would.

    Paul
    Rosy's right, my Lady. It's no use trying to buy yourself off. You can't do enough. Eat your pudding while you have it—you may not have it long.

    Aurora
    You're the most delightful people. I wish everyone could know you. But I must really be going.

    Rosy
    Paul will see you as far as you like.

    Aurora
    Well, you may see me down stairs.

    Rosy
    You must call a cab.

    Aurora
    Oh, I don't go in cabs. I walk.

    Paul
    Well, you may go on top of a bus if you like. You can't help being superb.

    Aurora
    Superb? Oh, mercy!

    Paul (following Lady Aurora out)
    Wait for me a little.

    (Exit Aurora, followed by Paul.)

    Rosy (to Hyacinth)
    She lives in Belgrave Square; she had ever so many brothers and sisters; one of her sisters is married to Lord Warmington— She's dedicated her life to the poor. And she's so natural. She's not the least it condescending.

    Hyacinth
    No, she's not. (pause) You and your brother strike me as being very curious people.

    Rosy
    Really! If you had known my father and mother—

    Hyacinth
    Were they curious, too?

    Rosy
    Rather. They came from the mines. My father was working in a pit when he was a child of ten. He never had a day's schooling in his life, but he invented a machine. My father was as black as the coal he worked. But he was intelligent, my mother, too. But, what's the use of brains if you haven't got a backbone? He invented a new kind of beam fixing device—whatever that is. And he sold it for fifteen pounds. No royalties! Nothing. He used to get drunk. He fell into a gravel pit. That's the reason my brother won't touch a drop. My mother kept us decent somehow. She was terribly handsome. And it was from her we got our education. She did it somehow. Then she was taken by typhoid. Our parents had good brains to give us.

    Hyacinth
    Are you very fond of your brother?

    Rosy
    If you ever quarrel with him, you'll see whose side I shall take.

    Hyacinth
    Before that, I'll take care to make you like me.

    Rosy
    I already do. But, see how fast I'll fling you over.

    Hyacinth
    Then, why are you so opposed to his ideas?

    Rosy
    He'll get over them.

    Hyacinth
    Never! I've only known him for a day—but I can tell!

    Rosy
    Is that the way you're going to make me like you—by contradicting me so?

    Hyacinth
    You don't believe in human equality?

    Rosy
    I haven't the least objection to seeing the people improved—but I don't want to see the aristocracy lowered even an inch.

    Hyacinth
    Positively feudal. You ought to know my aunt Pinnie. She's another idolater of the aristocracy.

    Rosy
    Oh, you're making me like you very fast! And pray, who's your aunt Pinnie?

    Hyacinth
    She's a dressmaker. I'll bring her someday. Don't you want a better place to live in?

    Rosy
    A better place than this? How could there be a better place than this? If you think I'm not perfectly content, you're very much mistaken.

    Hyacinth
    Don't you sometimes make your brother very cross?

    Rosy
    Cross? Never with me.

    Hyacinth
    Isn't he deep in——

    Rosy
    Deep in what?

    Hyacinth
    Doesn't he belong to important things?

    Rosy
    You must ask him. I don't know.

    (Paul reenters.)

    Rosy (to Paul)
    You must have crossed the Channel with her Ladyship. I wonder which of you enjoyed the walk most?

    Paul
    She's a handy old girl, and has a goodish stride.

    Rosy
    I think she's in love with you.

    Paul
    Really, my dear, for an admirer of the aristocracy, you allow yourself a license.

    Hyacinth
    Perhaps she is—why not?

    Paul
    She's daft enough for anything.

    Hyacinth
    But, is she only playing, or is she in earnest?

    Paul (changing the subject)
    How are you two getting on?

    Rosy (ironically)
    Oh, he's made himself most agreeable.

    Hyacinth
    She won't tell me about your revolutionary clubs.

    Paul
    You mustn't ask her that sort of thing.

    Hyacinth
    What can I do if you won't tell me anything definite yourself?

    Rosy
    It will be definite enough when you get hanged for it.

    Paul
    Why do you want to poke your head into ugly black holes?

    Hyacinth
    Don't you belong to the party of action?

    Paul
    Where did you pick up that catchword? In the newspapers? Is that the party you want to belong to?

    Hyacinth
    Yes. Show me the thing.

    Paul
    What thing do you mean, infatuated, deluded youth?

    Rosy
    Well, you do go places you had far better keep out of. I wonder, sometimes, when they are going to make a search for your papers.

    Paul
    The day they find my papers, my dear, will be the day you get up and dance.

    Hyacinth
    What did you ask me to come here for?

    Paul
    To see if you'd be afraid.

    Hyacinth
    Try me.

    Rosy
    I'm sure if you introduce him to some of your low, wicked friends, he'll be delighted.

    Hyacinth
    Just the sort I want to know.

    Paul
    Meet me sometime.

    Hyacinth
    Where?

    Paul
    Oh, I'll tell you when we get away from her.

    BLACKOUT

    ACT II

    Scene I. Pinnie's shop.

    Hyacinth and Pinnie are talking.

    Pinnie
    There's only one thing I want to know. Does she expect you to marry her, dearest?

    Hyacinth
    Does who expect me?

    Pinnie
    Of course you know who I mean. The one that came after you from the other end of London—and picked you right up. Aren't there plenty of low fellows in that vulgar part where she lives—without her ravaging over here? Why can't she stick to her own beat, I should like to know? Just promise me this, my precious child—if you get into any sort of mess with that piece, you'll immediately confide it to your poor old Pinnie.

    Hyacinth
    My poor old Pinnie sometimes makes my quite sick. What sort of mess do you expect me to get into?

    Pinnie
    Suppose she pretends you promised to marry her?

    Hyacinth
    You don't know what you're talking about. She doesn't want to marry anyone.

    Pinnie (unconvinced)
    Then, what does she want?

    Hyacinth
    Oh, my protection.

    Pinnie
    Protection! Stuff. And pray, who's to protect you?

    Hyacinth
    In any event, it isn't from Milly that any harm will come to me.

    Pinnie
    I can't think why you like her.

    Hyacinth
    You're a good person and yet you're ready——

    Pinnie
    Well, what am I ready to do? I'm not ready to see you gobbled up before my eyes.

    Hyacinth
    You needn't be afraid of her dragging me to the altar.

    Pinnie
    Doesn't she think you're good enough for a 'Enning?

    Hyacinth
    You just don't understand. One of these days, she'll marry a very rich, very respectable alderman.

    Pinnie
    That creature?

    Hyacinth
    Or a banker, or a bishop. She doesn't want to end her career—she wants to begin it.

    Pinnie
    Well, I wish she'd leave you alone.

    Hyacinth
    What are you afraid of? Look, we'd better clear this up, once and for all. Are you afraid of my marrying a shop girl?

    Pinnie (horrified)
    Oh, you wouldn't, would you?

    Hyacinth
    The kind of girl who'd look at me is the kind of girl I'd never look at.

    Pinnie
    I'm sure a Princess might look at you, and be none the worse.

    Hyacinth
    Well, it's always nice to have your support.

    Pinnie
    You must be aware how lacking she is. Doesn't she bore you?

    Hyacinth
    She does—to extinction.

    Pinnie
    Then why do you spend every evening with her?

    Hyacinth
    What else should I do? Go to a gin palace?

    Pinnie
    Oh well, if you see her as she is, I don't care what you do, but try not to get her pregnant!

    (Hyacinth is stunned. Enter Mr. Vetch.)

    Vetch
    Hallo, Pinnie.

    Pinnie
    Oh, Mr. Vetch, please talk some sense into him. I cannot.

    (Exit Pinnie.)

    Hyacinth
    I haven't seen you in a long time.

    Vetch
    What's bothering Pinnie?

    Hyacinth
    I want to take a young lady to the theatre.

    Vetch
    I'm afraid you'll find your young lady expensive.

    Hyacinth
    I find everything expensive.

    Vetch
    Especially, I suppose, your secret societies?

    Hyacinth
    What do you mean by that?

    Vetch
    Why, you told me a while back you were about to join a few.

    Hyacinth
    A few? How many do you suppose? Do you think if I'd been serious, I'd tell?

    Vetch
    Oh dear, oh dear. (as to Milly) You want to take her to my place, I suppose?

    Hyacinth
    She won't go there. She wants to see something in the Strand. The Pear of Paraguay. I don't wish to pay anything if I can avoid it. I'm sorry to say I haven't a penny. But it occurred to me you might be able to get me a seat as a favor.

    Vetch
    Do you want a box?

    Hyacinth
    Something more modest.

    Vetch
    Why not a box?

    Hyacinth
    Because I haven't the clothes people wear in that sort of place.

    Vetch
    Your young lady has the clothes?

    Hyacinth
    She has everything.

    Vetch
    Where does she get 'em?

    Hyacinth
    Oh, she's a model in a high fashion shop.

    Vetch (pulling out some tobacco)
    Won't you have a pipe? What will she do with you?

    Hyacinth
    What do you mean?

    Vetch
    Your big amazon—Miss Henning. I know all about her from Pinnie.

    Hyacinth
    Then, you know my terrible fate.

    Vetch
    But it doesn't matter much.

    Hyacinth
    I don't know what you're talking about.

    Vetch
    Well now—the other thing. You're very deep into that.

    Hyacinth
    Did Pinnie tell you all about that?

    Vetch
    No, our friend Poupin had told me a good deal. Besides, I see it.

    Hyacinth
    How do you see it, pray?

    Vetch
    Anyone can tell to look at you, you've taken a blood oath to some cutthroat crew.

    Hyacinth
    You won't get me the tickets, then?

    Vetch
    My dear boy, I offer you a box.

    Hyacinth
    It has nothing to do with—

    Vetch
    Is it a more deadly secret?

    Hyacinth
    I thought you pretended to be a radical?

    Vetch
    Well—so I do—of the old fashioned constitutional sort. I'm not an exterminator.

    Hyacinth
    We don't know what we may be when the time comes.

    Vetch
    Is the time coming, then, my dear young friend?

    Hyacinth
    I don't think I can give you any more of a warning than that.

    Vetch
    It's very kind of you to do so much, I'm sure. Meanwhile, in the little time that is left, you wish to crowd in all possible enjoyment with the young ladies—a very natural inclination. Do you see many foreigners?

    Hyacinth
    Yes. A good many.

    Vetch
    And what do you think of them?

    Hyacinth
    I rather like the English best.

    Vetch
    Paul Muniment, for example?

    Hyacinth
    What do you know about him?

    Vetch
    I see him at the Poupins. I know you and he are thick as thieves.

    Hyacinth
    He'll distinguish himself very much someday.

    Vetch
    Very likely, very likely. And what will he do with you?

    Hyacinth
    Try to get me two good places in the second balcony.

    Vetch (uneasily)
    You had better put in all the fun you can, you know.

    BLACKOUT

    Scene II. The lobby of a theatre.

    There are several couples talking. Hyacinth and Milly enter, followed at a distance by Sholto.

    Milly
    Who is that man watching you?

    Hyacinth
    Watching me? You more likely.

    Milly
    Of course, he's noticed me. But you're the one he wants to get hold of.

    Hyacinth
    To get hold of?

    Milly
    Yes, you ninny, don't hang back. He may make your fortune.

    Hyacinth
    Well, if you'd like to meet him, I'll go and take a walk in the Strand.

    Milly (after Sholto has smiled at Hyacinth) Now, do you say it's only me he's after?

    Hyacinth
    I'm only the pretext.

    Milly
    Well, if he knows us, he might give us some sign—and if he doesn't, he might leave us alone. Is he one of your grand relations? Well, I can stare as well as him. Is he one of those Lords your aunt Pinnie was talking about at the Place? No, he's too young to be your grandfather.

    Hyacinth
    I have no idea whether he was one of that lot.

    Milly
    You might at least tell me his name, so that I shall know what to call him if he comes round to speak to us.

    Hyacinth
    He won't do that.

    Milly
    He couldn't grin more if he was your own brother. He may want to make my acquaintance—after all, he wouldn't be the first.

    Hyacinth
    I don't know that I'm at liberty to disclose his name. I met him at a place he may not like to have it known he goes.

    Milly
    Do you go to places that people are ashamed of? One of your filthy political clubs, no doubt. My Lord! He is coming——

    Sholto (coming over, beaming at Hyacinth)
    My dear fellow, I really had to come round to speak to you. The trouble is I'm with a pair of ladies, and one of them has a great desire to make your acquaintance.

    Hyacinth
    To make my acquaintance?

    Milly
    Is that so?

    Sholto
    She has a tremendous desire to meet someone who looks at the whole business from your standpoint, don't you see? And in her position she scarcely has a chance. She's really the most remarkable woman in Europe.

    Milly
    That's all very well, but who's to look after me?

    Sholto
    My dear young lady, can you think I've been unmindful of that?

    Milly (somewhat shocked)
    I'm much obliged to you! Mr. Robinson, is it your intention to leave me? Who is the lady?

    Sholto
    The Princess Casamassima.

    Milly
    Laws! And what's she want with him?

    Sholto
    To discuss the lower orders.

    Milly (infuriated)
    And does she think we belong to them? (to Hyacinth) I don't care if you go. I should like to know about this Princess.

    Sholto
    Oh, I'll tell you all about her.

    (Sholto escorts them off. After a slight pause, followed by a slight dimming of the lights. Hyacinth returns with the Princess Casamassima and Madame Grandoni, a very old lady of impeccable manners.)

    Princess
    I like to know all sorts of people.

    Hyacinth
    I shouldn't think you'd have any difficulty in that.

    Princess
    Everyone isn't so obliging as you.

    Grandoni
    She makes everyone do everything.

    Princess
    Her name is Madame Grandoni.

    Grandoni
    But I'm not Italian—any more than she is. She's an American, I'm actually a German. Nobody with an Italian name is Italian these days. That is a very charming person you were with.

    Princess
    Yes, she's very charming. We take a great interest in the things you care for. We take a great interest in the people.

    Grandoni
    Speak for yourself. I take none. I don't understand the people and I know nothing about them. I always respect decent people of any class, but I don't pretend any passion for the ignorant masses—because I don't have such a passion.

    Princess
    She lives with me; she's everything to me. She's the best woman in the world. But she has a disturbing habit of speaking her mind. What do you think of Captain Sholto?

    Hyacinth
    I hardly know him.

    Princess
    Isn't he a very curious type?

    Hyacinth
    Possibly. I can't make him out.

    Princess
    Neither can I. He's what they call a cosmopolitan. He told me he's had some interesting talks with you about the social question. That's why I asked him to introduce me.

    Hyacinth
    He managed to slip off with Milly very neatly.

    Princess
    Do you ever admit women?

    Hyacinth
    I'm afraid I don't understand?

    Princess
    Into your meetings. I should like so much to be present. Why not?

    Hyacinth
    I haven't seen any ladies.— You know I'm not sure he should go about reporting our meetings.

    Princess
    I see. Perhaps you think he's a police spy or agent provocateur?

    Hyacinth
    No. Spies are more discreet. But, after all, he's heard very little.

    Princess
    You mean he hasn't really been behind the scenes? But you needn't have the least fear of Captain Sholto. He's incapable of betraying anyone. Actually, he's gone into this sort of thing merely to please me. You see, for a woman it's so difficult. So, I commissioned the Captain, ha, ha. What I wanted him to do was to make friends with the leading spirit.

    Hyacinth
    Surely, Captain Sholto doesn't take me for a leading spirit?

    Princess
    He said you were very original.

    Hyacinth (laughing ironically)
    I'm one of thousands in my class—there's nothing original about me at all. I am a mere particle in the grey immensity of the people.

    Princess
    Much more than that, I think.

    Hyacinth
    I have a friend who's remarkable.

    Princess
    Who's your friend?

    Grandoni
    Ah, Christina, Christina!

    Hyacinth
    A young man who lives in Camberwell.

    Princess
    Can you bring him to see me?

    Hyacinth
    I don't know if he would come. He might think you a little too avid for his company.

    Princess
    That makes me want to see him all the more. But you'll come yourself?

    Hyacinth
    You want me to come and see you? An unexpected honor.

    Grandoni
    Go and see her—go and see her once or twice. She'll treat you like an angel.

    Princess
    You must think I'm very strange.

    Hyacinth
    Oh, no. I know another lady who does this sort of thing.

    Princess
    I wish I could make you trust me— I see you don't. You'd find I go pretty far—

    Grandoni
    She goes too far.

    Princess
    I'm not just some rich bitch amusing myself. I'm concerned—I'm convinced people of my class are living in a fool's paradise.

    Grandoni
    She wants to be part of the revolution—to guide it, to enlighten it.

    Hyacinth
    I'm sure she could manage it perfectly.

    Princess
    I've no such pretensions. Please don't laugh at me. What can be more absurd than for a woman with a title and great wealth to throw in her lot with the masses? You've a right to demand that I give all that up.

    Hyacinth
    —But—

    Princess
    That I give all that up before you believe me. Well, I'm ready! That's the least difficulty. I'm here to learn, not to teach.

    Hyacinth
    I'm not asking you to give anything up. Why give it up? It might come in handy.

    Princess
    What's your occupation?

    Hyacinth
    I'm a bookbinder.

    Princess
    And your mysterious friend?

    Hyacinth
    A chemist

    Princess (as if seeing visions of a bomb maker)
    Ah! And what do you call home?

    Hyacinth
    Lomax Place in the north of London.

    Princess
    No—I don't think I've heard of it.

    Hyacinth
    It isn't much. I live with a dressmaker.

    Princess
    Do you mean——?

    Grandoni
    Is she your wife?

    Hyacinth
    No, no. She brought me up.

    Princess
    And your family?

    Hyacinth
    I have no family.

    Princess
    None at all?

    Hyacinth (emphatically)
    None at all!

    Princess (seeing his annoyance)
    Perhaps that's best.— Do you think anything will occur soon?

    Hyacinth
    Pardon?

    Princess
    That there'll be a great crisis— That you'll make yourselves felt?

    Grandoni
    Please don't do anything for another hour or two. I want to enjoy the play.

    Princess
    You cannot answer, of course. But remember what I just said. I'll give up everything—everything.

    (Sholto returns with Milly. The conversation continues for a few minutes in mime.)

    Sholto
    My dear fellow, you were born under a lucky star.

    Hyacinth
    I never suspected it!

    Sholto
    Why, what in the world to you want? You have the faculty, the precious faculty to inspire women with an interest—but an interest! Don't be afraid, you'll go far.

    (The conversation lapses back into mime. Sholto leads off the Princess and Grandoni.)

    Milly
    She's a tidy lot, your Princess, by what I can learn.

    Hyacinth
    What do you know about her?

    Milly
    What that fellow told me.

    Hyacinth
    And, what was that?

    Milly
    Well, she's a bad 'un as ever was. Her own husband had to turn her out of the house.

    Hyacinth
    I could care less about that.

    Milly
    Don't you? Well, in that case, I do!

    BLACKOUT

    Scene III. A room in Paul Muniment's house.

    Paul and Hyacinth are talking.

    Hyacinth
    She wants to see you; she asked me to bring you. She was very serious.

    Paul
    To bring me—bring me where? You talk as if I were a sample from your shop or a little dog you had for sale.

    Hyacinth
    Well, you're a friend of mine. That's enough for her.

    Paul
    You mean, I suppose, that it ought to be enough for me that she's a friend of yours?

    Hyacinth
    Certainly. I vouch for her.

    Paul
    Are you sure she isn't making game of you?

    Hyacinth
    I don't think so. What good would it do her?

    Paul
    That, I don't know. But she's one of them—and they're capable of anything.

    Hyacinth
    Be realistic. They're not all evil. People can't help it because they're born rich.

    Paul
    Undoubtedly, she's an idle, perhaps a profligate female.

    Hyacinth
    If you'd seen her, you wouldn't talk that way.

    Paul
    God forbid, I should see her then, if she's so charming. I don't need to be corrupted.

    Hyacinth
    And you think I'm in danger?

    Paul (good-naturedly)
    No—you're immune. You're already such a little mass of corruption.

    Hyacinth
    Leave off fooling. There are unselfish people—

    Paul
    I'm not in the least surprised that the aristocracy is curious to know what we're up to, and wants very much to look into it.

    Hyacinth
    Are you afraid I'll blab secrets to her?

    Paul
    What secrets could you tell her, my pretty lad?

    Hyacinth (upset)
    You don't trust me—you never have.

    Paul
    We will someday. Don't be afraid. And when we do, you'll be very disappointed.— Now tell me about this fellow Sholto—I haven't actually met him, though I've seen him at one of our meetings.

    Hyacinth
    Captain Sholto isn't the same sort as the Princess. Quite different.

    Paul
    Different, of course. She's a handsome woman, and he's an ugly man. But, neither of them will save us or spoil us. Their curiosity is natural, but I've other things to do than to show them around,—or to be shown around by them. You can tell her Serene Highness that I'm much obliged.

    Hyacinth
    You show Lady Aurora around—what's the difference? If it's right for her to take an interest, why isn't it right for the Princess?

    Paul
    All I know of Lady Aurora is that she comes to sit with my sister. If the Princess will do as much, I'll see what I can do. But apart from that, I shall never take a grain of interest in her feelings for the masses.

    Hyacinth
    Do you think she can hurt me?

    Paul
    Yes, very likely. But you must hit her back, and really give it to her. That's your line, you know. I'm an ugly brute, but you're one of those taking little beggars that the women like.— Only, you know, if she really hurt you, she'd have to deal with me.

    Hyacinth
    That's very kind of you to say, Paul.

    Paul
    We are friends, you know, for whatever that's worth. (going upstairs) Now, I've got to get Rosy ready before Lady Aurora comes or she'll be doing everything for her, and Rosy won't have that.

    (Exit Paul. After a moment, enter Lady Aurora from the street door.)

    Aurora
    You never came to get the books!

    Hyacinth
    I didn't know we had an understanding I would.

    Aurora
    I've picked them out.

    Hyacinth
    That's awfully kind of you.

    Aurora
    Rosy will tell you where I live. She never forgets anything.

    Hyacinth
    She's a wonderful little witch. She terrifies me.

    Aurora
    Which do you think is the cleverer? Rosy or her brother?

    Hyacinth
    Oh, Paul will be Prime minister of England someday.

    Aurora (pleased)
    Do you believe that? I'm so glad.

    Hyacinth
    Why? You spend most of your time among the poor—and I'm sure you carry blessings with you— But for what? Wretched company we must be.

    Aurora
    I like it very much—you don't understand.

    Hyacinth
    Precisely. I don't understand. How can you surround yourself with squalor and disgusting company?

    Aurora
    Oh, I wish I could make you understand—

    Hyacinth
    Perhaps I do understand! Charity exists in your nature as a kind of passion.

    Aurora
    Yes, yes, it is a kind of passion. Whatever it is, it's my life. It's all I care for. When I was fifteen, I wanted to sell all I had to give to the poor. And ever since—I've wanted with all my heart to do something. It seemed as if my heart would break if I couldn't!

    Hyacinth
    I suppose you're very religious?

    Aurora
    I don't know. One has one's ideas. I think a great many clergymen do good, but there are others I don't like at all. I don't like society, and I don't think you would either if you saw much of it. At least the kind there is in London. But I've got out of it. I like Camberwell better. I'm a proper lunatic, you see. Well, I must go see Rosy.

    (Aurora exits to Rosy's room.)

    Hyacinth
    I'll be in presently.

    (There is a knock at the street door. Hyacinth goes to it and admits Madame Grandoni.)

    Hyacinth
    Madame Grandoni! What are you doing here?

    Grandoni
    I have come to see you. I went to your milliner's and she told me you were here.

    Hyacinth
    I'm honored. But, why have you come?

    Grandoni
    My dear young man, may I take the liberty of asking your age?

    Hyacinth
    Certainly; I'm twenty-four.

    Grandoni
    And, I hope you're industrious—and—what do they call it in England— steady?

    Hyacinth
    I don't think I'm very wild.

    Grandoni
    I don't know how one speaks in this country to young men like you. You are evidently intelligent and clever—and if you're disappointed, it will be a pity.

    Hyacinth
    Why should I be disappointed?

    Grandoni
    I dare say you expected great things from the Princess— You have been to her house. A mansion— You must tell me if I upset you. I'm very old fashioned.—I speak my mind.

    Hyacinth
    But, what is on it? I'm not easily upset. I only went to see her because she was kind enough to send for me.

    Grandoni
    You're not like the young men I have in mind. All the more reason. I came to warn you a little and I don't know how. If you were an Italian it would be different.

    Hyacinth
    How so? What do you want to warn me of?

    Grandoni
    Well—only to advise you a little. Don't give up anything.

    Hyacinth (laughing)
    What do I have to give up?

    Grandoni
    Don't give up yourself. There are things better even than being liked by a Princess, even a beautiful Princess. Hold fast to them.

    Hyacinth
    I think I understand you.

    Grandoni
    Before you go any farther, please think a little whether you are right.

    Hyacinth
    I'm not sure—

    Grandoni
    There are many people, these days, who think it useful to throw bombs into innocent crowds, and assassinate their own rulers—

    Hyacinth
    If I were to limit myself only to those means you approve of—?

    Grandoni (very emphatically)
    I don't approve of any means! I wish you well, young man. She wants you to come again. you will, I see that. Don't say I didn't warn you.

    (Exit Madame Grandoni.)

    Hyacinth
    I—I'll remember.

    (After a moment, Paul comes in.)

    Paul
    Rosy is making it pretty hot for me in there. So, I thought I'd escape.

    (A knock at the street door. Paul goes and admits Poupin.)

    Poupin
    Forty thousand men are unemployed.

    Paul
    They say it's a bad year.

    Poupin
    They say that on purpose—to convey the impression that there are such things as good years. The good years are yet to come.

    Paul
    Hoffendahl's in London.

    Poupin
    Hoffendahl! That surprises me.— Are you sure?

    Paul
    Quite sure.

    Poupin
    You have seen him?

    Paul
    Yes.

    Hyacinth
    What has he done?

    Poupin
    He's spent twelve years in a Prussian prison.

    Hyacinth
    What of that?

    Paul
    A man's foremost duty is not to get collared. If you want to prove you're capable, that's the way.

    Poupin
    Someone always gets caught.

    Paul (to Hyacinth)
    If they succeed in catching you, do as Hoffendahl has done. Suffer silently without betraying your friends. But, if they don't—make it your supreme duty—make it your religion to lie close—to keep yourself for another go.

    Poupin
    That's fearfully English.

    Paul
    No doubt, no doubt. You shall never share my fate—if I have a fate, and I can prevent your sharing it.

    Hyacinth
    What I want to know is, what's this Hoffendahl going to do for us?

    Paul
    That I don't know yet.

    Poupin
    What we need is a compact body in marching order.

    Paul
    I quite agree that the present state of things is infamous and hellish.

    Hyacinth
    I'm ready for anything.

    Paul
    Upon my life, I believe you're game. Would you like to see him—the real thing?

    Hyacinth
    The real thing?

    Paul
    A real revolutionary. You've never seen it, you only think you have.

    Hyacinth
    Why haven't you shown me before?

    Poupin
    You weren't ready.

    BLACKOUT

    ACT III

    Scene I. A room in the mansion of the Princess Casamassima.

    The Prince, an Italian nobleman is talking to Madame Grandoni.

    Prince (upset)
    Never?

    Grandoni
    Surely, you know your wife as well as I do?

    Prince
    How can one know a woman like that? I hoped she'd see me five little minutes.

    Grandoni
    For what purpose?

    Prince
    To rest my eyes on her beautiful face.

    Grandoni
    Did you come to England for that?

    Prince
    For what else should I have come? She is killing me inch by inch.

    Grandoni
    She'd be much more likely to kill you if you were living with her.

    Prince
    She hasn't killed you.

    Grandoni
    Oh, me? I'm past killing. I'm hard as stone. Our troubles don't kill us—it's we who must kill them. I've buried not a few.

    Prince (uninterested in her philosophy)
    How does she look today?

    Grandoni
    As always. Like an angel.— I'm very sorry for you, Prince.

    Prince
    I wanted to see myself how she's living.

    Grandoni
    That's very natural.

    Prince
    I've been hearing things, lots of things.

    Grandoni
    Lots of rubbish, no doubt.

    Prince
    She spends a great deal of money.

    Grandoni
    Indeed, she does. She thinks she's a model of thrift. If there's a virtue she prides herself on, it's her economy.

    Prince
    I wonder if she knows that I spend almost nothing at all? I'd rather live on bread and water than that she should fail to make a great appearance.

    Grandoni
    Her appearance is all that you could wish.

    Prince
    Why does this dreary country please her?

    Grandoni
    It's the common people.

    Prince
    That's what I've been hearing. Who was that man I met before?

    Grandoni
    The Princess's bookbinder.

    Prince
    Her bookbinder? You mean one of her lovers!

    Grandoni
    Prince, how can you ever dream she'll live with you again?

    Prince
    Why does she have him in her drawing room? Where were his books? His bindings?

    Grandoni
    I told you—she's making a study of the people. The young man you saw is a study—or part of it.

    Prince
    The more I know, the less I understand. Is it your idea that she's quite crazy? I don't care if she is.

    Grandoni
    We are all quite crazy, I think. But the Princess no more than the rest of us. She must try everything. At present she's trying democracy.

    Prince
    And what do people say?

    Grandoni
    Oh, a lady can do anything in this country.

    Prince
    There are things it's better to conceal.

    Grandoni
    I may as well give you the key to your wife's conduct: she's ashamed of having married you.

    Prince
    Ashamed! Ashamed to be a Princess of the House of Casamassima?

    Grandoni
    She considers that as the darkest hour of her life, she sold herself to you for a title and a fortune. No matter that she wanted it at the time. She will spend the rest of her life doing penance for that sin.

    Prince
    I know she pretends to have been forced.— Well, if not the bookbinder, what about this English Captain?

    Grandoni
    This English Captain?

    Prince
    Godfred Gerald Sholto.

    Grandoni
    He's the last one you need worry about. He doesn't count the least bit.

    Prince (dumbfounded)
    Why doesn't he count?

    Grandoni
    Some people don't, you know. He knows better than to even think he does.

    Grandoni
    Why not, when she receives him always—lets him go wherever she goes?

    Grandoni
    He's a convenience—he works without wages.

    Prince
    Isn't he in love with her?

    Grandoni
    Of course. But he has no more hope than you do.

    Prince
    Ah, poor fellow.

    Grandoni
    He accepts the situation better than you do.

    Prince
    Because he is allowed to see her.

    Grandoni
    But she takes no notice of him.

    Prince
    I will go. But tell her I may come back.

    Grandoni
    It's utterly useless.

    (The Prince bows to her very courteously and goes out. Grandoni walks around uneasily, then sinks into a chair. Enter Hyacinth with some books.)

    Hyacinth
    I'm afraid the books are very dusty.

    Grandoni
    The Princess will probably see you in a few hours.

    Hyacinth
    I really hope so.

    Grandoni
    People sometimes come and leave without seeing her. It all depends on her mood.

    Hyacinth
    Even after she has sent for them?

    Grandoni
    Who can tell whether she has sent for them or not?

    Hyacinth
    But, she sent for me.

    Grandoni
    Oh yes, she sent for you, poor young man. Sholto has come like that more than once, and gone away no better off.

    Hyacinth
    Captain Sholto?

    Grandoni
    She is a capriciossa.

    Hyacinth
    I don't understand the way you speak of her. You seem her friend, yet you say things that are not very favorable to her.

    Grandoni
    I say much worse to her than I ever permit myself to say to you. I'm rude, but I'm not treacherous. At any rate, you are here.

    Hyacinth
    Decidedly, I am here.

    Grandoni
    And, how long shall you stay? Pardon me if I ask. That's part of my rudeness.

    Hyacinth
    Till tomorrow morning. I must be at my work by noon.

    Grandoni
    That will do very well. You remember I told you to remain faithful?

    Hyacinth
    That was very good advice. But, I think you exaggerate my danger.

    Grandoni
    Impossible, I think. You're one of those types that ladies like. I can be sure of that, I like you myself. At my age, a hundred and twenty!— Be happy, make yourself comfortable; but go home tomorrow! Perhaps I shall go tomorrow.

    Hyacinth
    I have to work. That's reason enough for me.

    Grandoni
    Do you admire everything here? Does it give you pleasure?

    Hyacinth
    So much! I cannot tell you how much!

    Grandoni
    Poor boy.

    (Enter the Princess.)

    Princess (addressing herself immediately to Hyacinth)
    Is it true that you've never seen a park or any of the beauties of nature?

    Hyacinth
    Perfectly true.

    Princess
    I'm so glad, I'm so glad. I've never been able to show anything new to anyone, especially to a fine, sensitive mind.— This place is tumbling to pieces. I don't want you to think I'm sunk in luxury and throw money away. Never! Never!

    Hyacinth
    You live according to your means. I would live like this is I could.

    Princess
    Would you? But, you must learn for yourself what it really is before we blow it up. You and I are the barbarians, you know.

    Hyacinth
    You certainly don't look that part.

    Princess
    Oh, I am whether I look it or not.

    Hyacinth
    The aristocracy isn't all that bad.

    Princess
    If we believe in the coming democracy—why not try to put its spirit in our lives? I try to do it in my relations with you—but you hang ridiculously back. You're really not a bit democratic.

    Hyacinth
    I've been cautioned against you.

    Princess
    I can very easily understand that.— I've given no proofs as yet. Who was it that warned you against me?

    Hyacinth
    A friend of mine in London—Paul Muniment.

    Princess
    Paul Muniment?

    Hyacinth
    I mentioned him to you the first time we met. He's awfully wise.

    Princess
    What does he know about me?

    Hyacinth
    Nothing except what I've told him.

    Princess
    Well, you mustn't have given me a very good character.— I like his name, perhaps I should like him.

    Hyacinth
    You'd like him much better than you do me.

    Princess
    How do you know how much I like you or how little?— Never mind that, I like you a good deal. Now tell me what's going on among your friends. Is anything going to be done?— You think I'm a police spy, don't you?

    Hyacinth
    The idea never occurred to me.

    Princess
    It should—if you're going to be a conspirator.

    Hyacinth
    If you were in with the police, you wouldn't waste your time with me.

    Princess
    If would be my first care to make you think that. So much the better if you've no troublesome suspicions.

    Hyacinth
    There isn't much to tell. I've taken an oath to sacrifice myself, that's all.

    Princess
    To what?

    Hyacinth
    To whatever is asked. I gave my life away.

    Princess
    Be so good as to explain what you're talking about?

    Hyacinth
    I really do trust you, but I'll give you no names. There's no special reason to go into details. They wanted an obliging man— Well, the place was vacant, and I offered my services.

    Princess (abstractedly)
    I suppose you're right, we must pay for all we do. (after a moment) I think I know the person into whose power you've placed yourself.

    Hyacinth
    Possibly, but I doubt it.

    Princess
    You don't think I've gone that far? Why not?

    Hyacinth
    If you've gone that far, you've gone very far indeed.

    Princess
    Does he, by any chance, want an obliging young woman?

    Hyacinth
    I don't think he cares much for women.

    Princess (lightly)
    You've very nearly betrayed him to me. Have a care.

    Hyacinth
    I've seen the holy of holies. People go about thinking everything's fine and all's well with the world. But, there's an immense underground. The upper classes know nothing about it. A vast trap is being prepared.

    Princess
    And so you've put your head in a noose. (pause) YOUR MAN'S DIEDRICH HOFFENDAHL!

    Hyacinth
    —Well, you really have gone further than I thought.

    Princess
    So! You've taken a vow of blind obedience.

    Hyacinth
    Yes.

    Princess
    To kill if necessary?

    Hyacinth
    Yes.

    Princess
    It's very serious, isn't it? Very serious, indeed.

    Hyacinth
    The serious part is yet to come. For now, I simply wait.

    Princess
    Perhaps nothing will happen.

    Hyacinth
    That would be very disappointing. But I have decided to live each day, each hour—as if it might be my last.

    Princess
    There will probably be a great many good days left.

    Hyacinth
    The more the better. Only, I no longer care for the things you care for.

    Princess
    What are you talking about? We both believe in the same thing.

    Hyacinth
    Do we? From the moment I pledged my life to the people, I ceased to give a damn about them!

    Princess
    You not longer care for the revolution?

    Hyacinth
    Not a damn!

    Princess
    You're very remarkable. You're splendid.

    Hyacinth
    I'd like to be.

    Princess
    Yes—I see that. You want to be one of them. Fancy the strange, the bitter fate: to be a perfect gentleman in gesture and feeling, and yet to look at the good things of life only through the glass of a pastry cook's window.

    Hyacinth
    Every class has its humble pleasures.

    Princess
    So your act is purely disinterested?

    Hyacinth
    I think it is correct to describe it that way.

    Princess
    That's wonderful, really. Only no one will believe it, you know.

    Hyacinth
    That doesn't matter to me. I'm glad YOU know. You're the only one I've spoken to.

    Princess
    I'm flattered. You must trust me a good deal.

    Hyacinth
    I told you I do.

    Princess (suddenly)
    I am going to introduce you to Lady Marchmont! Will you let me?

    Hyacinth
    Yes, of course, but—

    Princess
    Then come along. She's going to be here now.

    Hyacinth
    But, who is—

    Princess
    You'll see.

    (Exit Princess and Hyacinth. After a moment Grandoni stirs in her chair where she has been dozing. Sholto enters.)

    Grandoni
    I'm glad to see you! What good wind has brought you here?

    Sholto
    Didn't you know I was coming?

    Grandoni
    I know nothing of the affairs of this house. I've given them up at last. I remain in my room, mostly. From the moment you come in it's a little better. But, it's very bad.

    Sholto
    What's bad?

    Grandoni
    Perhaps you'll be able to tell me where Christina is heading? I've always been faithful to her. I've always been loyal. But today, I've lost my patience.

    Sholto
    I'm not sure what you're talking about, but if I understand you—I think it's magnificent.

    Grandoni
    You're worse than she is: you delight in all her antics because you're cynical. It passes all bounds. The scandal's too great.

    Sholto
    Dear Madame Grandoni, you cannot make it worse and you cannot make it better. Actually, no scandal can possibly attach itself to our friend.

    Grandoni
    What do you mean, when a lady has a bookbinder come live with her?

    Sholto
    It all depends who the lady is, and what she is.

    Grandoni
    She had better take care of one thing first—that she shall not have been separated from her husband—with a hundred stories!

    Sholto
    The Princess can carry off even that.

    Grandoni
    Who's to know he's her bookbinder? It's the last thing you'd take him for.

    Sholto
    She has chosen him carefully.

    Grandoni
    Carefully!

    Sholto
    It was I who chose him, dear lady.

    Grandoni
    It was a fine turn you did him, poor young man.

    Sholto
    Certainly, he'll be sacrificed. But haven't I been sacrificed?

    Grandoni
    I hope he bears it as well as you! It's too bad to spoil him for his station in life. How can he ever go back?

    Sholto
    Too bad! He's an abominable little conspirator with I don't know what bloody ideas. He gets what he deserves.

    Grandoni
    And, what does Christina deserve?

    Sholto
    Oh, lots of punishment. But it won't be the loss of reputation. She's too distinguished.

    Grandoni
    Why not?

    Sholto
    Because she has no regard for public opinion. Because she can do without it, it will never be taken from her.

    Grandoni
    At least you make another person in the house. So long as you are here, I won't go off.

    Sholto
    Depend upon it, I shall hang on tight, till I am turned off.

    Grandoni
    How can you stand it?

    Sholto
    I want to watch what becomes of the little beggar.

    Grandoni
    He's much too good for his fate. You're horrible.

    Sholto
    And pray, wasn't I too good for mine?

    Grandoni (dryly)
    By no means!

    (Hyacinth enters and Grandoni retires to her chair.)

    Sholto
    Good morning, my dear fellow, I thought I should find you here.

    Hyacinth
    Who told you I was here?

    Sholto
    Why, I knew the Princess was capable of asking you, so—when I learned you were out of town, I concluded you must be here.

    Hyacinth
    I see. You're sure Millicent didn't tell you?

    Sholto
    Have you still got your back up a little?

    Hyacinth
    Not at all.

    Sholto
    You have no reason at all to be jealous.

    Hyacinth
    No.

    Sholto
    Just because you met her in the street after you met me in the same neighborhood is no reason to think she was coming to meet me.

    Hyacinth
    I agree perfectly.

    (Pause.)

    Sholto
    How are you coming on? With the Princess, I mean.

    Hyacinth
    Very well, thank you.

    Sholto
    You understand my interest in you: I'm your sponsor. I put you forward.

    Hyacinth
    There are a great many things in the world I don't understand—but the thing I understand least is your interest in me. If I were you, I wouldn't give a damn for the sort of person I happen to be!

    Sholto
    That proves how different my nature is from yours! But, I don't believe it, my dear boy, you're too generous for that.— It's very grand, her having brought you down here. I wanted to see it with my own eyes.

    Hyacinth
    Hardly surprising, considering I was put forward by you.

    Sholto
    It doesn't make any difference to her. It never signifies a lot to her what I may think. Look here, one good turn deserves another—get her to—put me forward, will you?

    Hyacinth
    I don't understand you. Surely you don't mean with Millicent?

    Sholto (laughing amiably)
    It isn't possible you're jealous? I don't mean Miss Henning.— The courage of it, the insolence of it, there isn't another woman in England who could carry it off.

    Hyacinth
    That's nothing. Just now she introduced me to Lady Marchmont.

    Sholto
    God, did she dare do that? I'd have given ten pounds just to see it. There's no one like her. Did you enjoy meeting the wife of our noble prime minister?

    Hyacinth
    Too much. Such excesses are dangerous. Well, I shall ask the Princess to keep you.

    Sholto
    Lucky little beggar, with your fireside talks! Where does she sit now in the evening? Never mind! I told you she's the cleverest woman in Europe. But there are some mysteries you can't see into unless you have a heart. Our Princess isn't troubled by that sort of thing. My only motive is to watch her, adore her, to see her lead her life, and act out her extraordinary nature. The rest's mere gabble.

    Hyacinth
    You don’t' care for the social question, then?

    Sholto
    I only took it up because she did. My dear Robinson, for me there's only one thing in life: to look at that woman when I can. Get her to keep me here.

    Hyacinth
    I'll use what influence I have, but—

    Sholto
    It would be an act of common humanity.

    Hyacinth
    You took up the social question because she did? But why did she take it up?

    Sholto
    You'll have to worm that out of her yourself.

    Hyacinth
    Do you mean the way she treats you proves she has no heart? What you said just now—

    Sholto
    I mean the way she treats you!

    Hyacinth
    You think I'm heading for a fall?

    Sholto
    Don't say I didn't warn you. The day I saw she was turning her attention to the rising democracy, I began to collect little democrats. That's how I collected you.

    BLACKOUT

    Scene II. The same, a few days later.

    Mr. Vetch has come to see Hyacinth on a matter of business.

    Vetch
    Dear Mr. Robinson, I'm so sorry for you. I wanted to write, but I promised Pinnie I wouldn't. It wouldn't have killed her if she had been like you or me. The doctor says she was impoverished—so weak and low she had nothing to go on.

    Hyacinth
    I don't know what to say to you. I can never blame you when you're so kind, but I wish to God I had known. Don't you think you might have written me a word?

    Vetch
    No responsibility in my life has ever distressed me more. There were obvious reasons for calling you back, but Pinnie insisted that you must finish your visit. It was very difficult.

    Hyacinth
    I can imagine nothing more simple. When your nearest and dearest are dying, you're usually sent for.

    Vetch
    My dear boy, this case was exceptional. Your visit to the Princess Casamassima had an aura of importance.

    Hyacinth
    It's not important at all.

    Vetch
    Pinnie made a tremendous point of your not being disturbed. If she had been dying in a corner like a starved cat, she would have faced her fate alone, rather than cut short your visit by a single hour.

    Hyacinth
    She spun her ideas—she always did,—out of nothing.

    Vetch
    She had made up her mind that you had formed a connection by means of which someday, by some means, you will eventually come into your own. — We had to leave her that idea.

    Hyacinth
    Yes, of course. I'm glad I furnished Pinnie such entertaining ideas.

    Vetch
    Is she really a Princess?

    Hyacinth (absently)
    What? Yes, of course.

    Vetch
    If I can help you in any way, you must lean on me.

    Hyacinth
    That's just what I was going to say to you.

    Vetch
    Have you been making love to this Princess?

    Hyacinth
    It's not that way.

    Vetch
    Has she been making love to you then?

    Hyacinth
    If you saw her, you wouldn't think that—

    Vetch
    How shall I ever see her?

    Hyacinth
    It's not impossible. If you like, I shall introduce you now. (Vetch shakes his head sadly) She wants to meet all my friends in the Place. She'd be very interested in you because of your opinions.

    Vetch
    Ah, I've no opinions now. I only had them to frighten Pinnie.

    Hyacinth (wryly)
    She was easily frightened.

    Vetch
    And easily reassured. But, take care this great lady doesn't lead you too far.

    Hyacinth
    How do you mean?

    Vetch
    Isn't she a conspirator? A dabbler in plots and treasons?

    Hyacinth
    You should see this place. You should see what she wears—

    Vetch
    You mean she's inconsistent? My dear boy, she'd be a strange woman if she wasn't. Pinnie left you some money. She had insurance, would you believe it? Twenty pounds.

    Hyacinth
    Well, for me that's a small fortune. Too bad she didn’t' have the use of it.

    Vetch
    She had hoped you'd go abroad and see the world. She had a particular wish you'd go to Paris.

    Hyacinth
    Ah, Paris!

    Vetch
    She would have liked you to take a little run down to Italy.

    Hyacinth
    Doubtless that would be very jolly. But there's a limit to what twenty pounds can buy.

    Vetch
    I propose to add my savings.

    Hyacinth
    That's very kind, but you're getting along and may need it.

    Vetch
    My dear boy, I shall look to you to be the support of my old age.

    Hyacinth
    You may do so with perfect confidence, so far as it lies within my power. But there is the danger you mentioned earlier. The trifling problem of my being imprisoned or hanged.

    Vetch
    It's precisely because I think the danger will be less if you go abroad, that I urge you most passionately to take the chance.

    Hyacinth
    It is certainly a temptation. Something I should very much like to do.

    Vetch
    I believe it was Pinnie's dearest wish. Do it for her.

    Hyacinth
    I will give it careful consideration. But I have obligations—

    Vetch
    I am sure, I am sure.

    (Hyacinth and Vetch embrace, and Hyacinth exits. Vetch shakes his head sadly and is about to leave when Madame Grandoni appears.)

    Grandoni
    Mr. Vetch! Please do not go away, the Princess Casamassima has learned you are here and wishes to speak to you. She had received your note.

    (Exit Grandoni and enter Princess.)

    Princess
    I know who you are, I know who you are.

    Vetch
    I wonder if you also know what I would like to speak to you about?

    Princess
    No, but it doesn't matter, I am very glad. You must know how much interest I take in your nephew.

    Vetch
    It's for his sake I ventured—

    Princess
    I hope you won't ask me to give him up?

    Vetch
    On the contrary, on the contrary—

    Princess
    Surely he doesn't think I shall cease to be his friend?

    Vetch (very excited)
    I don't know what he thinks, I don't know what he hopes. Properly speaking, it's no business of mine. I'm not really a blood relation. I thank you for your great kindness to him.

    Princess (considering)
    All the same, I don't think you like it.

    Vetch
    He has told me very little about you. He doesn't know I have taken this step.

    Princess
    Step? That's what people say when they're doing something disagreeable.

    Vetch
    I seldom call on ladies. Now that I see you, now that I hear you, I begin to understand. Is there any chance that Hyacinth will return while I am here?

    Princess
    I have given Madame Grandoni instructions to occupy him until you are safely away.

    Vetch
    Please don't tell him we have met.

    Princess
    I won't, but he'll guess it. He's incredibly intuitive.

    Vetch
    How well you know him.

    Princess
    I'm extremely curious as to what you have to say to me. I remember about you now. You were a great democrat in the old days, but of late, you've ceased to care about the people.

    Vetch
    I see you think I'm a renegade. (excitedly) What I want is this—that you'll—that you'll—

    Princess
    That I will——?

    Vetch
    Princess, I'd give my own life for that boy— You've taken possession of his life.

    Princess
    Yes. But as I understand you, you don't complain of it! I know the terrible story of his mother.

    Vetch
    It was my fault he ever heard of it. I thought it would do him good. I don't know what was in my head. I wanted him to quarrel with society. Now I want him reconciled to it.

    Princess
    Ah, but he is! He's a perfect little aristocrat.

    Vetch
    Those are not the opinions he expresses to me. He said only the other day that he would regard himself as the most contemptible of human beings if he did nothing.

    Princess
    I assure you the misery of the people is by no means always on his mind. He thinks civilization will be sacrificed utterly if the ignorant masses get the upper hand.

    Vetch
    He needn't be afraid. That will never happen.

    Princess
    We can at least try.

    Vetch (passionately)
    Try what you like, Madame, but for God's sake, get the boy out of this! The world's very sad and hideous, and I am happy to say that I shall soon have done with it. But before I go, I want to save the child! If he doesn't believe in it, what's he in it for, Madame? What devilish folly has he undertaken?

    Princess (after a pause)
    He's a strange mixture of contradictory impulses. How can I go into his affairs with you? How can I tell you his secrets. I don't know them, and if I did—well, fancy me!

    Vetch
    Why do you take such a line? Why do you believe such things?

    Princess
    My dear sir, how do you know what I believe? You think me affected, but I'm only trying to be natural. And you? Are you not yourself a little contradictory? You don't want our young friend to pry into the misery of the people—because it excites his sense of justice—

    Vetch
    I don't care a fig for his sense of justice—or the misery of the people. I only want to help him, to get him free.

    Princess
    Don't misrepresent him. He's one of the most civilized men in the world.

    Vetch
    I don't understand you. If you like him because he's one of the lower orders, how can you like him because he's a civilized little aristocrat?

    Princess
    Dear Mr. Vetch, I'm not bound to explain myself to you. Nothing is more annoying than to have one's sincerity questioned. Let us say, he has his charms.— Come, pull yourself together. We both take an interest in him, and I can't see why we should quarrel about him.

    Vetch
    God knows, I don't want to quarrel. I only want to get Hyacinth free.

    Princess
    Free from what?

    Vetch
    From some abominable secret brotherhood, some league of assassins that he belongs to—the thought of which keeps me awake at night. He's just the sort of impressionable youngster to be made a catspaw.

    Princess
    What grounds have you for believing this?

    Vetch (a little more calmly)
    Well, a great many; none of them very definite. His appearance, his manner— Dear lady, one feels those things, one guesses. I've appealed to the Poupins, and they assure me that he's as dear to them as their own child. That doesn't comfort me much for the simple reason that the old woman would be delighted to see her own son a martyr of the revolution. It may all be rubbish—but it's dangerous rubbish.

    Princess
    Don't speak to me of the French; I've never cared for them.

    Vetch
    That's awkward if you're a social revolutionary. You're likely to meet them.

    Princess
    Why do you call me a socialist? I hate cheap labels. What is it you suspect—for you must suspect something?

    Vetch
    Well, that he may have drawn some accursed lot to do some idiotic thing—something in which he doesn't believe.

    Princess
    If he doesn't believe in it, he can easily let it alone.

    Vetch
    Do you think he's a type to back out of his word?

    Princess
    One can never judge people in that way until they're tested. Haven't you ever taken the trouble to ask him?

    Vetch
    What would be the use? He'd tell me nothing.

    Princess
    I still don't see exactly how I am to help you.

    Vetch
    Do you want him to commit some atrocity?

    Princess
    Certainly not. Trust me and trust him, too. He's a gentleman and will behave as a gentleman.

    Vetch
    That's exactly what I'm afraid of.

    Princess
    Leave him to me—

    Vetch
    I've supposed for a long time that it was you or his chemist friend who got him into this scrape. It was you I suspected most—but if it isn't you, then—

    Princess
    I begin to lose patience with you! You had better go to him then!

    Vetch
    Of course, I'll go to him. I scarcely know him, but I'll speak my mind.

    Princess
    Better not! Leave him quiet. Leave him to me.

    Vetch
    Why not, why not? Doesn't he know?

    Princess
    No, he doesn't know; he has nothing to do with it. You'll spoil everything. Leave Paul Muniment to me. Leave him to me.

    Vetch (going)
    I beg you, I beg you.

    Princess
    Rest assured, I will not let our friend come to any harm if I can help it.

    Vetch
    Thank you,—thank you very much. (bowing, he goes out)

    (The Princess stands lost in thought for a few moments. Grandoni comes in.)

    Grandoni
    Mr. Muniment.

    (Exit Grandoni. Enter Paul.)

    Princess
    So, you've come! I didn't have to repeat my invitation.

    Paul
    It wouldn't have done you any good if you had.

    Princess
    My silence wasn't accidental.

    Paul
    I've only come now because my sister has hammered it at me that I ought to. I've been under the lash! If she had left me alone, I shouldn't have come.

    Princess
    You practice a racy sort of frankness. I'm not used to failing when it comes to men.

    Paul
    Naturally, the awkward things I say amuse you.

    Princess
    Not at all! You simply are different—although I expected you to be like this. I know you a good deal already.

    Paul
    From Robinson, I suppose.

    Princess
    More particularly from Lady Aurora.

    Paul
    Oh, she doesn't know much about me.

    Princess
    More than you think I fancy. She likes you.

    Paul
    Yes, she likes me.

    Princess
    And, I hope you like her.

    Paul
    Aye, she's a dear old girl.

    Princess
    I don't know that there's anyone I envy so much. She's got out of herself better than anyone I've ever known. She's submerged herself in the passion of helping others. That's why I envy her.

    Paul (dryly)
    It's an amusement like any other.

    Princess
    Don't belittle her. She has made a great many people less wretched!

    Paul
    How many, eh?

    Princess
    Well, one who's very near and dear to you.

    Paul
    Rosy makes Lady Aurora considerably less wretched!

    Princess
    Very likely, of course, as she does me.

    Paul
    What are you wretched about?

    Princess
    Why nothing at all, and everything! Still, I've been able to do some good.

    Paul
    For the poor, you mean?

    Princess
    Not yet. It's the convictions I've come to.

    Paul
    Convictions are a sort of innocent pleasure.

    Princess
    Having convictions is nothing. It's acting on them.

    Paul
    Doubtless.

    Princess
    It's far better, of course, when one's a man.

    Paul
    Women do pretty well what they like. My sister and you have managed between you to bring me to this.

    Princess
    More your sister than I. But why are you so reluctant to come?

    Paul
    Because I don't know what to make of you.

    Princess
    Most people don't. But why not come see for yourself?

    Paul
    And, being a prudent man, I hesitate to venture—

    Princess
    You consider very carefully what you attempt?

    Paul
    That I do—I do.

    Princess
    To do anything in association with you would be very safe—it would be sure to succeed.

    Paul
    That's what Robinson thinks. Poor fellow.

    Princess
    I care for him very much.

    Paul
    He's a sweet little lad, and putting Lady Aurora aside, he's quite the light of our little home.

    Princess
    Wouldn't someone else do his work quite as well?

    Paul
    I'm told he's a master hand.

    Princess
    I don't mean his bookbinding.

    Paul
    Ah, that work.

    Princess
    Let me do it. I want to do something for the cause you represent. Try me, try me. I'm not trifling. No, I'm not trifling.

    Paul
    I was afraid you'd be like this.

    Princess
    Like what?

    Paul
    Very persuasive. Very convincing. I've always had a fear of clever women.

    Princess
    You're the sort of man who ought to know how to use them.

    Paul
    I ought to—you're right.

    Princess
    I should like to do it in his place—that's what I should like.

    Paul
    You've got a lovely home.

    Princess
    Lovely? My dear, it's hideous.

    Paul
    Well, I like it.

    Princess
    You should have seen me before.

    Paul
    I wish I had. I like solid wealth.

    Princess
    You're as bad as Hyacinth. I'm the only consistent one.

    Paul
    I'd give my nose for such a place as this. You're not reduced to poverty.

    Princess
    I've a little left.

    Paul
    I'd lay a wager you've a great deal.

    Princess
    I could get money—I could get money.

    Paul (going)
    I don't trust women—I don't trust clever women.

    Princess
    Will you come back?

    Paul
    Yes, I'll come back.

    (Exit Paul. After a moment, enter Grandoni.)

    Grandoni
    And, who may that be? Isn't that a new face?

    Princess
    He's a brother of the little person I took you to see— The chattering cripple with the wonderful manners.

    Grandoni
    Ah, she had a brother! So that was why you went.

    Princess
    There could have been no question of our seeing him. He was at his work.

    Grandoni
    And, is he to be the successor?

    Princess
    The successor?

    Grandoni
    To the little bookbinder?

    Princess
    What an absurd question!

    (The Princess goes out angrily. Grandoni sinks into a chair and begins to knit. The Prince enters.)

    Prince
    What a black little hole it is. My wife should live here.

    Grandoni
    My dear friend, for all she's your wife—

    Prince
    It's true—it's true! She has lovers! I've seen it with my own eyes and I've come here to know!

    Grandoni
    Coming here won't help you much. If you're seen, you know for yourself.

    Prince
    You're afraid! You're afraid!

    Grandoni
    Sit down and be quiet, very quiet. I've ceased to pay attention.

    Prince
    Do you know she's gone to a house in a horrible quarter?

    Grandoni
    I think it highly probably, dear Prince.

    Prince
    And who is he? What does she want there? That's what I want to discover.

    Grandoni
    I haven't seen him—how can I tell you?

    Prince
    Is that kind to me—when I've counted on you?

    Grandoni
    I'm not kind any more, I'm angry.

    Prince
    Then, why don't you watch her, eh?

    Grandoni
    It's not her I'm angry with, it's myself.

    Prince (puzzled)
    For what?

    Grandoni
    For staying in this house.

    Prince
    What a house for a Princess! She might at lest live in a manner befitting her.

    Grandoni
    The last time you thought it too expensive.

    Prince
    Is it because things are so bad you must go? He was in the house for over an hour. I saw him come. I saw him go. Who is he? This new one?

    Grandoni
    Was it for this you came to London? You had better go back to Rome.

    Prince
    Of course, I'll go back. But only if you tell me who this one is! How can you be so ignorant, dear friend, when he comes freely in and out of this place?

    Grandoni
    I sit in my room almost always now. I only come down to eat.

    Prince
    Better if you sat here. You could at least answer my questions.

    Grandoni
    I haven't the least desire to answer them. You must remember that I'm not here as your spy.— He's a chemist's assistant.

    Prince
    A chemist's assistant. And the other one is a bookbinder.

    Grandoni
    Oh, him.— You must wait till I'm free.

    Prince
    Free?

    Grandoni
    I must choose. I must hold my tongue if I stay. If I go away, I can tell you what I've seen—and plenty there is I've seen—more than I ever expected to.

    Prince
    Dearest friend, tell me this. Where does she go? For the love of God, what is that house?

    Grandoni
    I know nothing of their houses.

    Prince
    Then, there are others? There are many?

    Grandoni
    There's a conspiracy.

    Prince
    You mean she's joined a secret society? Anarchists? But, perhaps, they only pretend?

    Grandoni
    Pretend? That's not Christina's way! She has gone to those houses to break up society. She's very much entangled. She has relations with people who are watched by the police.

    Prince
    And, is she watched by the police?

    Grandoni
    It's very possible.

    Prince
    Will she bring us to that scandal?

    Grandoni
    There's a chance she may get tired of it. Only the scandal may come before that.

    Prince
    She shall not break up society!

    Grandoni
    No, she'll bore herself to death before the coup is ripe. Give her time—give her time.

    Prince
    Give her time to muddy my name—

    Grandoni
    You can say nothing that I haven't said to her.

    Prince
    And how does she defend herself?

    Grandoni
    Defend herself? Did Christina ever do that! The only thing she says to me is: Don't be afraid. I promise you, by all that's sacred, you personally shan't suffer.— She speaks as if she had the power. That's all very well. No doubt I'm a selfish old pig, but after all one has a heart for others, too—

    Prince
    And so have I. Give her time—it's certain she'll take it whether I give it or no. But I can, at least, stop giving her money.

    Grandoni
    She says you don't give her much.

    Prince
    It's enough to make all these scoundrels flock around her.

    Grandoni
    They're not scoundrels. That's the tiresome part of it.

    Prince
    Does this chemist take her money?

    Grandoni
    Perhaps—

    Prince
    Gigolo of revolution! And the famous Captain Sholto?

    Grandoni
    I haven't seen him for some time.

    Prince
    He doesn't like chemists and bookbinders?

    Grandoni
    It was he who first brought the bookbinder here—to please your wife.

    Prince
    And they've turned him out. Now, if only someone could turn them out.

    Grandoni
    Very true.

    Prince
    And the bookbinder. Is he still proposed for our admiration, or has he paid the penalties of his crimes?

    Grandoni
    His star is on the wane.

    Prince
    Poor fellow! Is the chemist his successor?

    Grandoni
    In some manner, I think so—

    (Enter Hyacinth.)

    Hyacinth
    Excuse me, I wasn't aware you had company.

    Grandoni
    My visitor's going—but, I'm going, too. I'm all upset, therefore, kindly excuse me.

    Prince
    One moment, one moment. Please introduce me to the gentleman.

    Grandoni (indicating the Prince to Hyacinth)
    Prince Casamassima. He knows who you are.— If you talk long, she may come back.

    (Exit Grandoni.)

    Prince
    Will you permit me to keep you one little minute? With Madame Grandoni I spoke of you. She told me you've changed your opinions. You desire no more the assassination of the rich?

    Hyacinth
    I've never desired any such thing!

    Prince
    Ah, no doubt I was mistaken. But today, you think we must have patience? That's also my view.

    Hyacinth
    Oh yes, we must have patience.

    Prince
    If I'm not mistaken, you know very well the Princess.

    Hyacinth
    She's been very kind to me.

    Prince
    She's my wife—perhaps you know—

    Hyacinth
    Yes.

    Prince
    Of course, you think it strange, my conversation. I want you—I want you to tell me something. To what house has she gone? Will you tell me that? She has gone to a house where they conspire—where they prepare horrible acts. Does she go only for the revolution—or does she go to be alone with him?

    Hyacinth
    With him?

    Prince
    With this chemist friend of yours?

    Hyacinth
    With him? I know nothing of the matter. (hastily) And, I don't care.

    Prince
    Then it's not true that you hate those abominations?

    Hyacinth
    Oh yes, I hate those abominations.

    Prince
    I hoped you would help me.

    Hyacinth
    When we're in trouble, we can't help each other much.

    BLACKOUT

    ACT IV

    Scene I. Rosy's bedroom.

    The Princess has paid a visit and is about to leave. Paul is present. Hyacinth enters and is seen by the Princess.

    Princess (noticing Hyacinth)
    I'm very glad of your return.

    Hyacinth (a little taken aback)
    Well, how did you come here?

    Princes
    Oh, I get about. Captain Sholto brought me a week ago. I took the liberty of coming again, by myself today—because I wanted to see the whole family. (to Paul, with a hard note) When I come to see gentlemen, I like to find them.

    Hyacinth
    I was disappointed when I called at your house in South Street.

    Princess
    Oh, I've given up that house, and taken a quite different one.

    (If Hyacinth expects to learn where the house is, he's to be disappointed, for the Princess does not tell him.)

    Hyacinth
    Is Madame Grandoni still at her post? You ought to bring her to see Rosy.

    Rosy
    I'm sure I'd be most happy to receive any friend of the Princess Casamassima.

    Princess
    I'd be happy to bring her—but she left.

    Hyacinth
    She left?

    Princess
    Yes, two days ago.

    Hyacinth
    It's too bad. I should like to have said goodbye to her.

    Princess
    You may imagine how I feel it.

    Hyacinth
    You mean the eyes of the world—

    Princess
    She couldn't put up with me any more. I'm too much of a scandal.

    Hyacinth
    What will she do?

    Princess
    I suppose she'll go and live with my husband. Funny, isn't it, that it should always be one of us—and that it matters so little which?

    Hyacinth
    She kept threatening a long time.

    Princess
    Oh, yes.

    Paul (trying to break the tension)
    You ought to tell us about foreign parts and the grand things you've seen. Except that our distinguished visitor must know all about them. (to Princess) Surely, you've seen nothing more worthy of your respect than Camberwell?

    Princess
    Is this the worst part?

    Paul
    The worst, Madame? What grand ideas you must have! We admire Camberwell immensely.

    Rosy
    It's my brother's ideas that are grand. He wants everything changed. As if dirty people won't always make everything dirty. If everyone were clean, where would be the merit? You'd get no merit for keeping yourself tidy. Still, if it's a question of soap, everyone can begin with himself. My brother thinks the whole world ought to be as handsome as Brompton.

    Princess
    That's where all the artists and literary people live, isn't it?

    Paul
    Oh, I like Camberwell better than that.

    Princess
    I don't care about the artists.

    Paul
    Not when they've painted you such beautiful pictures? We know all about them—Mr. Robinson has told us all about your precious possessions.

    Rosy
    Was it all make-believe?

    Princess
    I've nothing in the world but the clothes on my back!

    Hyacinth
    I meant the things in the house.

    Princess
    There are no things in my house now.

    Rosy
    I shouldn't like that. Everything here belongs to me.

    Princess
    That's nice, of course, but—

    Rosy
    Do you think it's not right to have a lot of things about?

    Princess
    One must settle that for oneself. I don't like to be surrounded by things I don't care for. When thousands have no bread to put in their mouths, I can dispense with tapestry and old china.

    Rosy
    But, don't you think we ought to make the world more beautiful?

    Princess
    The world can wait to become beautiful until it becomes good enough. Is there anything so ugly as unjust privileges? When we want to beautify, we must begin at the right end.

    Rosy
    Surely, there are none of us, but what have our privileges. What do you say to mine: entertaining a Princess. If everyone was equal, where would be the gratification I feel in getting a visit from a grandee? No, no—no equality while I'm about.

    (Enter Lady Aurora.)

    Aurora (to Princess)
    I'm so glad you waited. I was late.

    Princess
    Lady Aurora has graciously offered to take me to some of the other families she visits.

    Aurora
    Can you go now? We'll be late.

    Princess
    Yes, of course.

    (The Princess and Lady Aurora exit.)

    Rosy
    Lady Aurora and the Princess seem to have become good friends.

    Paul
    What in the mischief does she want of her?

    Hyacinth
    What do you mean?

    Paul
    What does the beauty of beauties want of our poor plain lady? She has a totally different stamp. I don't know much about women, but I can see that.

    Rosy
    They both have the stamp of their rank.

    Hyacinth
    Who can tell what women want at any time?

    Paul
    Trouble with Millicent? Well, my boy, if you don't know more than that, you disappoint me. Perhaps, if we wait long enough she'll tell us.

    Hyacinth
    About Lady Aurora?

    Paul
    I don't mind about Lady Aurora so much; but what in the name of long journeys does she want with her?

    Rosy
    Don't you think you're worth a long journey? I'd go from one end of England to the other to make your acquaintance. He's in love with the Princess and he asks those senseless questions to cover it up.

    Hyacinth
    Are you sweet on her?

    Paul
    Sweet on her, sweet on her, my boy! I might just as well be sweet on the Dome of Saint Paul's.

    Rosy
    The Dome on Saint Paul's doesn't come to see you, and ask you to return the visit.

    Paul
    I don't return visits. I don't put myself out for the Princess. Isn't that sufficient answer to your accusations?

    Hyacinth
    I'm not sure. Your hanging off is more suspicious. It may mean you don't trust yourself, that you're afraid.

    Paul
    I should think my making up to her would suit your book.

    Hyacinth
    Do you suppose I'm afraid of you? Besides, why should I care now?

    Rosy
    What do you mean by that?

    Paul (quickly)
    He's just being mysterious. Pay no attention to him.

    (Paul and Hyacinth come forward away from Rosy and talk low.)

    Hyacinth
    I didn't want to make a scene—but how will you like it when I'm strung up on the gallows?

    Paul
    You mean Hoffendahl's job?

    Hyacinth
    I didn't mean to speak of it, especially in front of Rosy, but it naturally came to my mind. I've been thinking about it a good deal.

    Paul
    What good does that do? You don't like it. Do you want to give it up?

    Hyacinth
    Not in the least. But, did you suppose I liked it?

    Paul
    My dear fellow, how could I tell? You like a lot of things I don't. You like excitement and emotions—whereas I go in for holy calm—for sweet repose.

    Hyacinth
    If you prefer calm, why do you associate yourself with a terrorist organization?

    Paul (chuckling)
    Isn't our movement as quiet as the grave?

    Hyacinth
    I see. You take only the quiet parts.

    Paul
    I'm as likely to be beside you on the gallows for all that. Look, there's one thing to remember—Hoffendahl may choose never to call on you.

    Hyacinth
    Somehow, I don't fancy either you or he get mixed up in things that don't come off.

    Paul
    There are three or four definite chances in your favor.

    Hyacinth
    I don't want second rate comfort.

    Paul
    What the devil do you want?

    Hyacinth
    Oh, to know how you feel about it—exactly what good you think it will do?

    Paul
    The execution, eh? Well, putting it at its worst, possibly none at all. It's intended as a warning, an admonishment.

    Hyacinth
    An admonishment!

    Paul
    They must learn they can't get away with it without paying a price.

    Hyacinth
    But, why strike at individuals?

    Paul
    Because we cannot effectively strike at the whole system—much as we would prefer to. There's no Bastille to storm—and if there were, we haven't the wherewithal to storm it. So we must be content with small, symbolic acts.

    Hyacinth
    I should rather storm the Bastille.

    Paul
    Amen. But that was in the days before machine guns were invented.

    Rosy
    Will you two stop conspiring and pay some attention to me? I really am getting annoyed.

    BLACKOUT

    Scene II. Millicent's shabby but genteel apartment.

    Millicent is putting on her gloves preparatory to going out. She goes to the door and steps back startled, admitting Hyacinth.

    Milly
    Whatever are you prowling about here for? You're up to no good, I'll be bound.

    Hyacinth
    Sorry if I frightened you. I was about to knock.

    Milly
    That's all right. Gave me a start.

    Hyacinth
    Where were you going so fast? What are you doing?

    Milly
    Well, I never did see such a manner—from one that knocks about like you! I'm going to see a friend. Have you anything to say to that?

    Hyacinth (archly)
    On what errand of mercy, on what secret mission?

    Milly
    Secret yourself! Why aren't you with your Princess instead of spying on me?

    Hyacinth
    Are you playing me false, Miss Henning?

    Milly
    False, false! You're a pretty one to talk of falsity when a woman has only to leer at you from an opera box—

    Hyacinth
    Don’t' say anything about her!

    Milly
    And pray, why not about her, I should like to know? You don't pretend she's a decent woman, I suppose.

    Hyacinth
    You're not really jealous of anyone. You pretend that only to throw dust in my eyes.

    Milly
    If you've come to see me, only to make low jokes at my expense, you had better have stayed away altogether. In the first place, it's rude, in the second place, it's silly, and in the third place, I see through you.

    Hyacinth
    My dear Milly, the motions you go through, the resentment you profess, are all a kicking up of dust which I blow away with a breath. (gesturing as puffing away a cloud of smoke) But go on, say anything you like.

    Milly
    The first thing I require of any friend is that he should respect me. You had a bad life, I know what to think about that.

    Hyacinth
    It's good to be with you. You understand everything.

    Milly
    I understand everything you like. You little rascal—has your Princess given you the sack?

    Hyacinth
    It may well be.

    Milly
    I'm glad you admit that!

    Hyacinth
    I'm a bigger Philistine than you, Miss Henning.

    Milly
    I don't believe you know, with all your thinking, what you do think.

    Hyacinth
    It's astonishing how you sometimes put your finger on things. I intend to think no more. I mean to give it up. Let us live in the present hour.

    Milly
    I don't care how I live, nor where I live, so long as I can do as I like. You were never satisfactory to me as a friend—and I consider myself remarkably good natured to have kept you so little up to the mark. You never tell me anything!

    Hyacinth
    What is it you want me to tell you, dear child? I'll tell you anything in life you like.

    Milly
    You'll tell me no end of rot. Certainly, I tried kindness on you.

    Hyacinth (good naturedly)
    Try it again. Don't give up.

    Milly
    Well then, has she chucked you?

    (Hyacinth turns away.)

    Milly
    THE BITCH!

    Hyacinth
    Milly, you're a sweetheart!

    Milly
    Why didn't you say so right away? I wouldn't have been so rough with you.

    Hyacinth
    This isn't rough.

    Milly (holding him)
    You're trembling.

    Hyacinth
    Very likely. I'm a nervous wreck, you know.

    Milly
    You need sympathy.

    Hyacinth
    A tablespoon twice a day.

    Milly
    I like you now.

    Hyacinth
    It's a pity I've always been so terribly under the influence of women. The sex in general has been very nice to me.

    Milly
    Does she know—your trumpery Princess?

    Hyacinth
    About my vow? Yes—but she doesn't mind.

    Milly
    That's most uncommonly kind of her.

    Hyacinth
    You know nothing about her.

    Milly
    How do you know what I know, please? Hasn't she treated you most shamelessly—and you a reg'lar dear?

    Hyacinth
    Not in the least. My opinions have changed and hers haven't—that's all.

    Milly
    And your grand lady still goes in for costermongers?

    Hyacinth
    Something has to be done and she wants to do it. I have too many scruples.

    Milly
    If she hasn't kicked you out, why do you say she has?

    Hyacinth
    I don't know; I can't make it out. Something has happened, but I don't know what it is.

    Milly
    Well, I can make it out! You silly baby, has Paul been making up to her Serene Highness? Is that his game? Do you mean to say she'd look at the likes of him?

    Hyacinth
    Paul! He's as fine a man as any born. They've the same views. They're doing the same work.

    Milly
    And probably sleeping in the same bed! It makes WORK easier.

    Hyacinth (protesting)
    That's enough, Milly, I won't have you—

    Milly
    So, he hasn't changed his opinions, then—not like you?

    Hyacinth
    No, he knows what he wants, he knows what he thinks.

    Milly
    Oh, I dare say. Don't be a saint, they're a precious pain.

    Hyacinth
    A man shouldn't turn on his friends.

    Milly
    Or betray him with his woman. You need someone to fight for you!

    Hyacinth
    My dear girl, you're a comfort.

    (There is a knock at the door. Milly looks uncomfortable, but straightening her shoulders, goes to the door.)

    Hyacinth
    You know, you still haven't told me where you were going?

    (Milly opens the door and admits Captain Sholto who is armed with a large bouquet of flowers.)

    Sholto
    My dear Miss Henning, when you were late—ah, my dear Robinson, I haven't seen you in some time, delighted.

    Hyacinth (perceiving the situation immediately, turns on his heel and walks out)
    I was just leaving.

    Sholto
    But, do stay, my dear fellow. Has there been some quarrel? Allow me to be the peacemaker.

    BLACKOUT

    Scene III. Hyacinth's work room.

    Late at night. Vetch is dozing in his chair, his violin at his side. Hyacinth enters.)

    Vetch
    Oh, I didn't hear you. You're very quiet.

    Hyacinth
    You've been asleep.

    Vetch
    No, I've not been asleep. I don't sleep much these days.

    Hyacinth
    Then, you're meditating.

    Vetch
    Yes, I've been thinking. I'm glad to see you. I've been looking at your books. You do find work—you're a master. With such a hand you'll make a fortune and become famous.

    Hyacinth
    How many bookbinders have ever become famous?

    Vetch
    Well—

    Hyacinth
    My dear old friend, you've something on your mind.

    Vetch
    You read my thoughts. I've forced myself to let you alone.

    Hyacinth
    You had better let me come live with you as I suggested after Pinnie's death.

    Vetch
    Will you, my boy? Will you come tonight?

    Hyacinth
    Tonight?

    Vetch
    Tonight has worried me more than any other. I got to thinking of Pinnie. If I believed in ghosts, I should believe I had seen her. Then, I could bear it no longer, and I came here.

    Hyacinth
    Why don't you spend the night on my bed? I'll sleep on the floor.

    Vetch
    No, no.

    Hyacinth
    It won't be any different in your room.

    Vetch
    I'll get another room.

    Hyacinth
    At this time of night? Your reason totters on its throne.

    Vetch
    Very good. We'll get a room tomorrow.

    Hyacinth
    But, I have to give a month's notice here.

    Vetch
    Ah, you're backing out!

    Hyacinth
    Pinnie wouldn't have said that. She'd have believed me.

    Vetch
    If you'll make me a promise, I'll believe that.

    Hyacinth
    Any promise you like.

    Vetch
    Oh, that isn't what I want. Make me a promise that you'll never, under any circumstances, "do" anything.

    Hyacinth
    What do you mean?

    Vetch
    Anything those people expect of you.

    Hyacinth
    Those people?

    Vetch
    Don't torment me by pretending not to understand: you know the people I mean. I can't call them by their names, because I don't know who they are. But you do—and they know you.

    Hyacinth
    I suppose I know the people you've in mind. But, I don't grasp the need for these solemnities.

    Vetch
    Don't they want to make use of you?

    Hyacinth
    I see what you mean: you think they want me to blow up some train for them. Well, if that's what troubles you, you may sleep sound. I shall never do any of their work.

    Vetch
    Do you take your oath to that? Never anything?

    Hyacinth
    Never anything at all.

    Vetch
    Will you swear it on Pinnie's memory?

    Hyacinth
    Willingly.

    Vetch
    Then, you are saved!

    Hyacinth
    No, I'm damned.

    BLACKOUT

    ACT V

    Scene I. The Princess's house.

    The Princess is pacing, dressed to go out. Paul enters.

    Princess
    You're braver than I gave you credit for.

    Paul
    I shall have to be brave if I associate a while longer with you.

    Princess
    I didn't expect you.

    Paul
    Well, here I am—that's the great thing.

    Princess
    It will be a still greater thing when you're there.

    Paul
    Where is it? I don't think you told me.

    (The Princess gives him a letter which he reads, then crushes and throws in the fire.)

    Princess
    What are you afraid of? I take it the house is known to the police. If we go, I suppose we must admit that we go.

    Paul
    No writing—no writing.

    Princess
    You're terribly careful.

    Paul
    Careful of you—yes.

    Princess
    This give me a much less keen emotion than when I act by myself.

    Paul (hesitating)
    Is that what you go in for—keen emotion?

    Princess
    Surely, don't you?

    Paul
    God forbid! I hope to have as little of any sort as possible.

    Princess
    It would be hard if one couldn't have a little pleasure on the way.

    Paul
    My pleasure is keeping very cool.

    Princess
    I like quietness—in the midst of tumult.

    Paul
    You've rare ideas.

    Princess
    I wonder if you're not too prudent. I wonder if you want to go at all.

    Paul
    Why else should I have come?

    Princess
    You don't take me seriously. I wonder if you can find it in your conscience to work with me?

    Paul
    It isn't in my conscience I find it.

    Princess
    Never mind, I think I have you in my power.

    Paul
    You've got everyone in your power.

    Princess
    That extraordinary little sister of yours—surely you take her seriously?

    Paul
    I'm fond of her—if that's what you mean.

    Princess
    She's a prodigious person.

    Paul
    That she is—I don't see what interest you can have—

    Princess
    Interest in what?

    Paul
    In getting in so deep.

    Princess (wryly)
    Am I so deep?

    Paul
    Up to your pretty little neck. If I was your husband, I'd come and take you away.

    Princess
    You might find that difficult to do. Please, don't speak of my husband, you know nothing about him.

    Paul
    I know what Hyacinth has told me.

    Princess
    Oh, Hyacinth!

    Paul
    I don't have his manners.

    Princess
    I don't know that pretty manners are exactly what we're working for here. He's very foolish. He's deplorably conventional.— Have you had a visit from Mr. Vetch?

    Paul
    The old gentleman who fiddles? No—he has never done me that honor.

    Princess
    You can thank me for that, I prevented him. He's in great distress about Hyacinth—about the danger he's in. You know what I mean.

    Paul
    Yes, I know. Well?

    Princess
    He was going to you—to beg you to interfere— But, I prevented him.

    Paul
    That was considerate of you beyond everything.

    Princess
    It was not meant as consideration for you. It was a piece of calculation on my part. Do you know why I asked you to come and see me? Do you know why I went to see your sister? It was all part of a plan.

    Paul
    We thought it was all just ordinary upper class slumming.

    Princess
    Joke if you like. I wanted to save Hyacinth.

    Paul
    That's a fine idea.

    Princess
    I've no patience with his opinions. But, after all, it's not our friends' opinions that we love them for. I wanted you to help me get him out of his scrape.

    Paul
    His scrape isn't important.

    Princess
    They must be persuaded not to call him.

    Paul
    Persuade them, then, dear Madame.

    Princess
    How can I persuade them? I've no influence. Besides, my motives are suspect.

    Paul
    Shall I tell them he lacks the nerve?

    Princess
    He doesn't—he doesn't. Tell them he has changed his opinions.

    Paul
    That would be unwise. I don't wish to denounce him as a traitor.

    Princess
    Tell them it's simply my wish.

    Paul
    You're very fond of him. But, you ought to remember that, in the line you've chosen, our affections, our natural ties, our timidities, our shrinkings—all those things are as nothing. They must never weigh a feather beside our service.

    Princess
    Why don't you do his job for him?

    Paul
    Better to do my own.

    Princess
    And, what is that?

    Paul
    Don't know, I wait to be instructed.

    Princess
    Have you taken an oath too?

    Paul
    Ah, Madame, the oaths I take, I don't tell.

    Princess
    Can you see your comrade destroyed like that?

    Paul
    You had better leave my comrade to me.

    Princess (with irritation)
    Well then, shall we go?

    Paul
    If all this was only a pretext?

    Princess (scornfully)
    I believe you are afraid!

    BLACKOUT

    Scene II. The same, a few days letter.

    The Princess is seated at her table, writing. Enter Hyacinth.

    Hyacinth
    I saw Lady Aurora leaving.

    Princess
    It's a pity that you didn't come a little sooner. You'd have assisted at a scene.

    Hyacinth
    At a scene?

    Princess
    She made a scene of tears. Perfectly well meant. She thinks I go too far.

    Hyacinth
    I imagine you tell her things you don't tell me.

    Princess
    Oh, you, my dear fellow.

    Hyacinth
    You've been going to some queer holes lately.

    Princess
    With your sentiments, you've no right to enquire.

    Hyacinth
    Don't you think so?

    Princess
    You mean your famous pledge to "act"? That will never come to anything.

    Hyacinth
    Why not, if you please?

    Princess
    It's too absurd, it's too vague. You won't have to do it.

    Hyacinth ( a little offended)
    I think you mean I won't do it.

    Princess (bluntly)
    Well, then, you won't do it.

    Hyacinth
    You will—at the pace you're going.

    Princess
    What do you know about it? You're not worthy to know.

    Hyacinth
    You do go too far.

    Princess
    Of course, I do. How else does one know one's gone far enough? Lady Aurora's an angel, but she isn't the least in it, is she?

    Hyacinth
    Hardly.

    Princess (troubled)
    How can one go too far these days? That's the word of cowards.

    Hyacinth
    You think Lady Aurora's a coward?

    Princess
    Yes—in not having the courage of her opinions. The way the English can go half way to a thing, then stick in the middle!

    Hyacinth
    That's not your weakness, certainly! But the thing Lady Aurora's most afraid of is you!

    Princess
    There's one thing she's not afraid of. She'd marry your friend, Mr. Paul Muniment.

    Hyacinth
    Do you really think so?

    Princess
    She adores the ground he walks on.

    Hyacinth
    What would Belgrave Square and Inglefield say?

    Princess
    What they say already—that she's crazy. She'd do it in a minute. It would be fine to see it. It would be magnificent.

    Hyacinth
    She cannot marry him unless he asks her—she has not gone that far. And perhaps he won't.

    Princess (wryly)
    I don't think he will. Why haven't you been to see me lately?

    Hyacinth
    I knew you were deep in business.

    Princess
    And, you think it's all a mistake? Yes, I know that. If you were scared of me three or four months ago, I don't know what you'd think today. If you knew! I've risked everything.

    Hyacinth
    Fortunately, I don't know anything.

    Princess
    Why are you avoiding Paul and Rosy?

    Hyacinth
    It's no use keeping up pretenses. Our views are so different.

    Princess
    And, you are so grimly sincere! But, you could see Rosy—her views and yours coincide remarkably.

    Hyacinth
    I don't like Rosy.

    Princess
    Neither do I. Aren't you going to be in a fix when the hour strikes, and you're called upon to fulfill your vow?

    Hyacinth
    I'm in an awful fix. But, you just said it won't happen.

    Princess
    I pity you, my poor friend. I can imagine nothing more terrible than to find yourself face to face with your obligation—and the spirit that prompted you to undertake it dead within you.

    Hyacinth
    Terrible, indeed, Princess.

    Princess
    I pray to God it may never be your fate. You know, a short time ago, I had a visit from Mr. Vetch.

    Hyacinth
    It was kind of you to see him.

    Princess
    Any friend of yours.— But he's delightful, I assure you. Do you know he came to me to beg me to snatch you away?

    Hyacinth
    From the danger that hangs over me?

    Princess
    He was most touching.

    Hyacinth (affectionately)
    He's a good old man.

    Princess
    He has a rather flattering belief in my personal effect on you.

    Hyacinth
    And he thought you'd try to get me to back out? He does you an injustice: you won't.

    Princess
    Because I know you won't be called.

    Hyacinth
    How do you know that?

    Princess
    Paul keeps me informed. We've information, my poor, dear boy. You're so much out of it, that if I told you, I fear you wouldn't understand.

    Hyacinth
    Yes, I'm out of it—but I still take as much of an interest in the real business as I ever did.

    Princess
    Dear, infatuated little aristocrat—was that ever very much?

    Hyacinth
    It was—and still is enough. I abide by the decision of others. I don't have to agree.

    Princess
    But you must. The old ferocious selfishness of the upper classes must come down. They won't leave gracefully, so they must be ushered out.

    Hyacinth
    I wish to God I could see it the way you see it.

    Princess
    What we're doing is at least worth trying. If those in power lack the will or the brains to think out a peaceful solution—on their heads be the blood!

    Hyacinth
    Princess, dearest Princess, if anything should happen to you!

    Princess
    To me! And pray, why not to me? What title have in to an exemption? Why am I so sacrosanct and so precious?

    Hyacinth
    Because there's no one in the world, and never has been anyone in the world, like you.

    Princess
    Oh, thank you!

    BLACKOUT

    Scene III. The same, a few days later.

    The Princess is in a negligee, smoking a cigarette. Paul, dressed only in pants and slippers, sits on the couch.

    Paul
    I've received a letter from your husband.

    Princess
    How in the world could he know your address?

    Paul
    Madame Grandoni, I think. He must have met her in Paris.

    Princess
    What an incorrigible cad.

    Paul
    I don't see that for writing to me. Would you like to see his letter?

    Princess
    Thank you, no. Nothing could induce me to touch anything he has touched.

    Paul
    You touch his money, my dear lady.

    Princess
    Because it makes him suffer.

    Paul
    I should think it would please him.

    Princess
    Why?

    Paul
    Because it shows you are dependent on him.

    Princess
    Not when he knows I don't use it for myself. He hates my politics almost as much as he hates me.

    Paul
    He doesn't hate you. His letter satisfies me of that.

    Princess (facing him)
    What are you leading up to? Are you suggesting I go back to my husband?

    Paul
    I don't know that I'd go so far as to advise it. But I believe you will before long.

    Princess (really nettled)
    And on what does that extraordinary prediction rest?

    Paul
    Because you'll soon have nothing to live on. He informs me that I need count on no more supplies from your hands.

    Princess
    He addresses you in very plain terms.

    Paul
    Yes.

    Princess
    And can you repeat such insults to me without the smallest apparent discomposure? You are indeed the most extraordinary man!

    Paul
    Why is it an insult? It's the simple truth—I take your money.

    Princess
    You take it for the cause—you don't take it for yourself.

    Paul
    Your husband isn't obliged to consider that.

    Princess (bitingly)
    I didn't know you were on his side!

    Paul
    You know whose side I'm on.

    Princess
    What does he know? What business has he to address you so?

    Paul
    Madame Grandoni has told him I have great influence with you.

    Princess
    She was welcome to tell him that!

    Paul
    He reasons that when I find you have nothing to give, I'll let you go.

    Princess
    Noting more to give. Does he think I count for nothing?

    Paul
    Apparently he thinks I don't count you much.

    Princess (bitterly)
    Well, I've always known you care more for my money than for me. But that's as it should be for a revolutionary. It makes no difference to me.

    Paul (enjoying irritating her)
    Then, by your own calculation, the Prince is right.

    Princess
    My dear sir, my interest in you never depended on your interest in me.— So, he stops my allowance.

    Paul
    From the first of next month.

    Princess
    I'll fight him tooth and nail in court.

    Paul
    How? Your association with me and the Cause are not the sort of things that should come to light.

    Princess
    Why should it come to light? It's my money—separation money. What I do with it—

    Paul
    He can produce the fact that you had a little bookbinder living in your house.

    Princess
    What has that to do with it?

    Paul
    That would be for the court to appreciate. And, what about the fact that Madame Grandoni has withdrawn her protection?

    Princess
    Ah, but not for Hyacinth!

    Paul
    That's only a detail. In any case, I shouldn't in the least care to have you going to law.

    Princess
    Sometimes you seem afraid! That's terribly against your being a first rate man.

    Paul
    I haven't the smallest pretension of being a first rate man.

    Princess
    Oh, you're deep—and you're provoking!

    Paul
    Don't you remember how you accused me of being a coward and a traitor, of playing false, of wanting to back out?

    Princess
    Most distinctly! How can I help feeling that you've got incalculable ulterior motives and are consummately using me—consummately using us all?— Well, I don't care!

    Paul
    The best reason in the world for not going to law with your husband is this: When you haven't a penny left, you'll be obliged to go back and live with him.

    Princess
    How can that be? Haven't I my own property?

    Paul
    The Prince assures me that you've almost nothing left.

    Princess
    You've the most extraordinary tone. You seem to be saying that from the moment I have no more money to give you, I'm of no more value than the washed out tea leaves in that pot?

    Paul
    I've no intention of saying anything so offensive—but since you bring it up, perhaps it's as well I should let you know that I believe in giving your money or rather your husband's money to our business, you gave the most valuable thing you had to contribute.

    Princess
    This is the day of plain truths! You don't count my devotion or my intelligence—even rating my faculties modestly?

    Paul
    I count your intelligence but not your devotion. You are not trusted— well, where it makes the difference.

    Princess
    Not trusted! Why, I could be hanged tomorrow.

    Paul
    They may let you hang—without fully trusting you. You are likely to weary of us, and I think, you're weary even now.

    Princess
    Ah, you must be a first rate man—you're such a brute.

    Paul
    I didn't say you were weary of me. But you can never live poor. You don't begin to know the meaning of it.

    Princess
    Oh, no. I'm not tired of you! In a moment you'll make me cry with rage—and no man has done that for years. I was very poor when I was a girl.

    Paul (unconvinced)
    You'll go back to your husband.

    Princess
    I don't see why they trust you more than they do me?

    Paul
    I'm not sure they do. I've heard something this evening that suggests that.

    Princess
    And, may one know what it is?

    Paul
    A communication that should have been made through me was made through someone else.

    Princess
    A communication?

    Paul
    To Hyacinth.

    Princess (uneasily)
    To Hyacinth—?

    Paul
    He has his orders. But they didn't entrust it to me.

    Princess
    He was here this morning. Do you suppose he already had it?

    Paul
    Shinkel carried the order to him Sunday night.

    Princess
    But, he was here just now, and he told me nothing of it.

    Paul
    That was quite right of him.

    Princess
    What do they want him to do?

    Paul
    I think I'd better not tell you until it's over.

    Princess
    And when will it be over?

    Paul
    He has several days. He has considerable discretion as to seizing his chance. The thing's remarkably easy for him. I heard it all from Shinkel.

    Princess
    Shinkel trusts you, then?

    Paul
    Yes, but he won't trust you. Hyacinth has an invitation to a party at a country house. At a grand party, he'll fit right in—perfect gentleman.

    Princess (tartly)
    He'll like that.

    Paul
    If he doesn't like it, he needn't do it.

    Princess
    And the target?

    Paul
    A certain royal personage. Do you want to warn him?

    Princess
    By no means. But I prefer to do the business myself.

    Paul
    To fall by your beautiful hand would be too good for him.

    Princess
    However if he fails, it will be useful, valuable?

    Paul
    It's worth trying, even if it fails. He's a very bad institution, although as a private person, quite blameless.

    Princess
    And, you don't mean to go near Hyacinth?

    Paul
    I mean to leave him free.

    (Pause.)

    Princess
    Paul Muniment, you are a truly first rate man! Why have you told me this?

    Paul
    So that you can't throw it up to me later that I didn't.

    Princess
    What will Hyacinth do?

    Paul
    I don't know. He'll either kill himself if he can't go through with it—or he'll kill The Grand Duke.

    Princess
    God! I must talk to him.

    Paul
    No. If Hyacinth fails or funks it, then it's your chance. There's a second party.

    Princess
    God—poor Hyacinth. What will he do? What will he do? Oh, it's my fault. It's through me that he's changed his ideas.

    Paul
    But, not because of you, really. You've always stood for the Cause.

    Princess
    Yes, but I showed him the other side—

    Paul
    That cannot be helped.

    Princess
    I wish I hadn't said some of the things I said to him this morning. I told him I didn't think he'd do it. He was talking to me, trying to tell me without actually telling me. It was his swan song. I should have known, but I was caught up in my own egotism, I was so smug.

    Paul
    There's nothing to do but wait and see.

    Princess
    He's only a child. A poor deluded child.

    Paul
    If he weren't a man, he'd have run away. He won't run. He'll either do it, or he'll destroy himself.

    Princess
    I don't think he can do it. I don't believe he can do it. (bursting into tears)

    Paul (after a moment)
    I don't mean to aggravate you, but you will go back to your husband.

    (The Princess shakes her head at Paul, they stare at each other as the Curtain falls.)

    CURTAIN