THE PLAYS OF HENRY ARTHUR JONES The MASQUERADER3 a ipiai? In four Hct0 BY HENRY ARTHUR JONES AUTHOR OP "THE LIARS," "MICHAEL AND HIS LOST ANGEL," "THE TEMPTER," "THE CRUSADERS," "JUDAH," "THE CASE OF REBELLIOUS SUSAN," "THE DANCING GIRL," "THE MIDDLEMAN," "THE ROGUE'S COMEDY," "THE TRIUMPH OF THE PHILISTINES," "THE MASQUERADERS," "THE MANOEUVRES OF JANE," "CARNAC SAHIB," "THE GOAL," "MRS. DANE'S DEFENCE," "THE LACKEY'S CARNIVAL," "THE PRINCESS'S NOSE," ETC. Copyright, 1909, by Henry Arthur Jones PRICE 50 CENTS ^ NEW YORK SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 14 W18T 22D Strut LONDON SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. z6 Southampton St., Strand Class -y^A^^ Book L^__ Copyright }l^-^ COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. THE MASQUERADERS THE MASQUERADERS A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS BY HENRY ARTHUR JONES Copyright, 1909, by Henry Arthur Jones NEW YORK I LONDON SAMUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. PUBLISHER 26 Southampton Street 26 WEST 22D STREET I STRAND . ri\ -^ " I think we had better not tell this story in England, for no one would believe it. — I myself was close to the squadron, and distinctly saw what happened." Lord Roberts, Forty-one Years in India. (C) SEPrVJSU9 CJ-^ "VfiL 6 8 5 7 SEP 23 1909 Copyright in the United States. My Dear George Alexander, This is one of the many original plays of English authorship that you have successfully produced during your long and honoured management of the St. James' Theatre. May I gratefully recall our pleasant association during its production, and your striking performance of David Remon, by asking you to accept its dedication in its present form ? Gratefully yours, HENRY ARTHUR JONES. Produced by Mr. George Alexander at the St. James's Theatre on zZth April 1894. PERSONS REPRESENTED David Remon. Sir Brice Skene. Montagu Lushington. Eddie Remon. The Earl of Crandover, Master of the Crandover Hunt. Hon. Percy Blanchflower. Sir Winchmore Wills, M.D. George Copeland. Fancourt. Carter. Randall. Rodney. Sharland. Jimmy Stokes, an old huntsman. Brinkler, proprietor of " The Stag." Thomson. DuLciE Larondie. Helen Larondie, her sister. Charley Wishanger, afterwards Lady Shalford. Lady Clarice Reindean, Lord Crandover's daughter. Lady Crandover. Guests^ Dancers, Fox-hunters, Hotel Servants, and Waiters. ACT I Scene — The Courtyard of the Stag Hotel and Assembly Rooms at Crandover. {Four years pass.) ACT II Scene — Drawing-Room at Lady Skene's. {Nine months pass^ ACT III Scene — Private Sitting-Room at the Hotel Prince DE Galles, Nice. ACT IV. Scene — The Observatory on Mont Garidelli, Maritime Alps, near Nice. The following is a copy of the original play-bill of " The Masqueraders^ ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Sole Ircssee and Manager . . . Mr. GSOROE AI/BXANDJ3R. To-night, Saturday, 28th April, 1894, and every evening at eight o'clock, B new an& origtnal mo&crn pla^, in tout Hcts, By henry ARTHUR JONES, entitled THE MASOUERADERS. David Remon Mr. George Alexander. Sir Brice Skene Mr. Herbert Waring. Montagu Lushington . . . Mr. Elliot. Eddie Remon Mr. H. V. Esmond. Lord Crandover (Master of the Crandover Hunt). . Mr. Ian Robertson. Hon. Percy Blanchflower Mr. A. Vane-Tempest. Sir Winchmore Wills, M.D. Mr. Graeme Goring. George Copeland Mr. Ben Webster. Fancourt Mr. Arthur Royston. Carter Mr. Guy Lane-Coulson. Randall Mr. J. A. Bentham. Rodney Mr. F. Kinsey Peile. Sharland Mr. A. Bromley-Davenport. Jimmy Stokes (an old whip). Mr. William H. Day. Brinkler (proprietor of " The Stag ") Mr. Alfred Holies. Thomson Mr. F. Loftus. A Servant , Mr. Theo Stewart. THE MASQUERADERS 9 DuLCiE Larondie Mrs. Patrick Campbell. Helen Larondie (her sister) Miss Granville. Charley Wishanger (after- wards Lady Shalford) . . . Miss Irene Vanbrugh. Lady Clarice Reindean (Lord Crandover's daughter). Miss Beryl Faber. Lady Crandover Mrs. Edward Saker. Guests, Dancers, Fox-hunters, Hotel Servants, and Waiters, THE PRESENT DAY. ACT L Scene — The Stag Hotel and Assembly Rooms at Crandover. {Four years pass.) ACT II. Scene — Drawing-Room at Lady Skene's {^JVine months pass.) ACT IIL Scene — Private Sitting-Room at the Hotel Prince de Galles, Nice. ACT IV. ^cene — The Observatory on Mont Garidelli, Maritime Alps, near Nice. o E ■ THE MASQUERADERS ACT I Scene: — The old courtyard of the Stag Hotel and Assembly Rooms at Crandover, roofed in to form a hall. Along right is a har-counter, surmounted hy a glass casement and windows, which open and shut down on to the counter. In the middle of the counter is a lid, which lifts up and forms door- way. At the back are steps leading to the Crandover Assembly Rooms. On the left the large old-fashioned gateway of the Inn. Running all round are the old galleries remaining from coaching times. Plants and banners hung about the hall. On the outside of bar is hung a subscription list, in which the words ''Widow and Orphans" and " Dick Ramsden " are discernible. Dancing in the rooms beyond. Amongst the company are Lord Crandover, Lady Crandover, Lady Clarice Reindean, Charley Wishanger. Montagu LusHiNGTON, a modern young man, is coming downstairs.^ Lord Crandover \^A jovial English aristocrat of about fifty speaks to Brixkler.] Devilish rum start this of Miss Larondie's, Brinkler. Brin. \With a grin.l Yes, my lord. II General call. Lord Cran., Lady Cran., Clarice, Mon- ty, Charlie, Fancourt, Sharland, Rodney, Randall, Brinkler, Sir Brice and guests. • VThen curtain rises Mon- tagu and Charley are seated on stairs L. Fancourt and Shar- land stand' ing by barrel, four men are playing cards in fur- ther room. Brinkler is vith them. He conies out, and goes down R. Lord and Lady Crandover enter from ball-room and go c, fol- lowed by Rodney and Lady Cla- rice, who are followed by Randall. Orchestra at back begins playing a polka just before rise of curtain. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Where is she? Montagu and Charley move down L. c. ; Rodney goes up R. and joins Ran- dall. * Guests from ball-room come on in couples and disperse R. and L. Lord Cban. Brin^. [Pointing off into the bar, l.] In the bar there. [They all look off, and show great interest. Mon- tagu LusHiNGTON joins the group.^^ Char. [A very fast, mannish little woman, to Montagu.] Not bad, eh ? MON. Exquisite. That divine poise of the arm as she draws the handle of the beer machine is really quite priceless. Lord Cran. Does she bring you much business, Brinkler? Brin. "Well, she's brought me two good customers, my lord. Lord Cran. "Who are they? Brin. One of them is Sir Brice Skene, my lord. [Lady Crandover exchanges a look with Lady Clarice.] Lady Cran. Is Sir Brice often here ? ^ [Lady Clarice is showing interest.^ Brin. He's almost lived here lately, my lady. Lady Clar. [To Lady Crandover, aside, hitierly.'] "What did I tell you ? Lord Cran. "Who's the other customer? 12 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I Brin. Ttat mad gentleman that lives at Gerard's Heath, Mr. Remon. There he is in the bar now. {They all look off, and show great interest. 1 MoN. That pale individual who is dallying with claret in the corner ? Brin. Yes; that's sixty-nine Mouton Rothschild. I get it specially for him. Fancy drinking Mouton Roths- child! Char. The man's looking at us. [Sir Brice enters from hall-room, comes down gradu- ally to group.~\ Lord Cran. He's an astronomer, isn't he? Brin.* I believe he is something in that line, my lord. And he's got a little brother who is likewise touched. MoN. iWith the stars, or the barmaid ? Brin. Miss Larondie isn't exactly a barmaid, is she, my lord? Lord Cran. "No ; her mother was distantly related to the Skenes. Her father came of a good old French family.^ * Lady Cran. The girl might have done well for herself. We used to receive her family at the Court and when her father died I interested myself to get her a situation as a governess in a Christian family. But she be- haved very badly. 13 * Music cea$ea. * Call. Eddie — Copeland— Dulcie (key), David (can- dle and rinii), warn band. * Lord Cran. moves up l. c. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS * Lady Cran. moves L. c. The four card players enter and join guests. MON. When one is a governess in a Christian family, one is compelled to behave badly for the sake of the higher morality. Lady Cran. Miss Larondie has thoroughly lost caste. And I should take it as a great favour if Mr. Brinkler would see that she has no chance of — of misconduct- ing herself with ^ [SiE Brice has come up, and Lady Crandover stops embarrassed when she sees /im.] Sir Brice. With whom ? Is Miss Larondie about to misconduct herself, Brinkler? Brin". No, Sir Brice, I trust not. Sir Brice. [To Lady Crandover.] Have you any reason for supposing that Miss Larondie is about to misconduct herself. Lady Crandover ? Lady Cran. lEmbarrassed.^ I — I am surprised, Sir Brice Sir Brice. Have you any reason for supposing that Miss La- rondie is about to misconduct herself? No. Lady Cran. Sir Brice. IPolitely.'] Thank you. \^Goes off into the bar. In crossing the bar he has to pass Lady Clarice, he bows to her with extreme politeness, she bites her lips, and returns his bow. Exit Sir Brice into bar.'\ 14 THE MASQUERADERS ACT T Lady Clar. [To her mother, aside.'] Oh, I can't bear it! * Lady Cran. Hush! Lady Clar. He has gone to that girl. [The next dance begins. The stage gradually clears.'] Char.^ Our dance, Monty. MoN. l^Criving arm.] So your vestal self is dedicate to matrimony and Sir Digby Shalford ? Char. Yes ; he's a trifle washed out ; but we are frightfully hard up, and you didn't ask me. MoN. My dear Charley, marriage is the last insult one offers to a woman whom one respects. Love if you please Char. Thanks. We'll think about it. By the way, you'll • Miisic in boU- room begins — general exit begins. Brinkler fol- lows Sir Brice off ; ladies and gentlemen claim part' Tiers and move off R. Rodney exit with Lady Clarice, Randall toith Lady Craii., Lord Cran. exit with the others. * Goes c. stand a chance with Clarice now Sir Brice has cut her. Her connections would be useful to you.^ MoN. What would Crandover settle on her? Char. Not much. Clarice would tell me. I'll ask her. What would you do it for ? A thousand a year ? MoN. [Reproachfully.] My dear Charley, don't hurt my self-respect. [They go into the hall-room.^] [Enter Eddie Remon, a delicate hoy of about twenty, highly refined, overstrung, unbalanced. He is followed by George Copeland, a bearded, athletic man about forty.] 15 ' Fan. and Shar. follow Ihe others off. * Bell rings l. An ostler comes down steps L. and opens gate. When Eddie and Cope- land have passed through he shuts gate and exit up steps. Eddie rujis across to stairs r. Copeland fol- lows. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Cop. But what's he doing here ? Eddie. Sun-gazing. Cop. Sun-gazing ? Eddie. Yes. Look! Here's his sun. She's dragging him through space, and where the devil they're going to, I don't know. lEnter Dulcie Larondie from 6ar.*] DUL. [^Speaking off into the outer bar. She has a large key in her hand.^ I've forgotten the candle. Sir Brice, would you mind bringing me that candle ? [David Remon enters from bar, with the lighted candle in his hand. He is a man of about forty, pale, studious, philosophic-looking. Sir Brice follows quickly, and the two men stand facing each other.'] Sir Brice. Give me that candle. David. Miss Larondie ^Appealing to Dulcie.] DUL. > Dulcie goet up c, stands for a moment looking off R. Eddie and Copeland stand aside upR. * Music ceases. [Stands coquettishly looking at both of them.] That one shall light me to the cellar who makes him- self the most ridiculous over it. David. [Coming towards her.] That will be myself. Sir Brice. Give me that candle. DUL. Sir Brice, Mr. Remon will make himself far more ridiculous than you.* i6 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I • Warn band. David behind Sir Brice. Then let him light you. l^Exit into har. Remon is carrying the candle per- fectly straight in his hands. Dulcie turns to him.'\ DUL. You're carrying that candle on one side ; you're drop- ping the grease. \^He looks at her, holds it much on one side, and drops the grease.'] That's better. l^She stands a mament or tiuo looking him up and down with comic inspection.] Yes, I think that will do. You look very well. Would you mind waiting here till I come back ? * \_Oravely blows out the candle, and exit l. stands there. Pause. Copeland comes him, claps him on the shoulder.] Cop. Davy! David. [Turns round, cordially.] My dear fellow! warm hand-shaking.] You're coming to stay? ^ Cop. !N^o, to say good-bye. I catch the night mail back, and to-morrow I'm off to Alaska. I'm sick of this nineteenth-century civilisation, I must do a bit of climbing, and get myself re-oxidised. David. What is it this time ? Cop. Mount Saint Elias, 18,000 feet high, and snow at the sea-level. Eddie. Davy, your bottle of claret is here in the bar. David. But Miss Larondie has not come back from the cellar. 2 17 [Very * David moves down L. c, and puts candle on table. Cope- land follows and stands c. Eddie looks after Dulcie, then goes to bar. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS ' Musichegins. Copeland goes L. Eddie. She came up the other stairs. She's in the bar talk- ing to Sir Brice Skene.* [The hand strikes up a very bright dance-tune. Eddie puts his fingers in his ears.] Oh ! oh ! oh ! Those wretched musicians ! Cop. What's the matter? Eddie. Thej are playing horribly in tnne, as if the world were full of harmony. I must get a tin kettle and put them out. [David goes up to the har, shows intense mortifica- tion, conquers it. Exit Eddie into hall-room, David calls " Brinklee."^] Beinkler enters with a hottle and glasses. David. Brinkler, my claret here. [Brinklee brings bottle in cradle and two glasses, puts them down on the other side of stage.l Bein. Mouton Rothschild, sixty-nine. David.2 So I'm mad to drink the finest vintages, eh Brinkler ? [Beinkler looks surprised.^ I heard you say so. Behst. Well, it is unusual, sir. David. You're right. A man must be mad who drinks the rarest wines when he can get salted beer and doctored gin. Still, you must humour me, Brinkler. [Brinklee seems puzzled.'] Though what's the good of climbing Mount Elias, I don't know. [Turning to Copeland.] Cop. To get the top of it.^ i8 * David goes c. Brinkler be- gins to pour out the wine very care- fully. David sits L. c. Copeland sits L. THE MASQUERADERS ACT I David. But what's the good of getting to the top of it ? Cop. What's the good of getting to the top of anything? You've spent the last dozen years of your life and nearly blinded yourself to solve the mystery of sun- spots. David. But sun-spots are practical. Cop. Practical ? David. Who solves the mystery of sun-spots may show the way to control the future harvests of the world ; and who controls the harvests of the world will provide cheaper swipes and smaller beer for Brinkler's grand- children, eh, Brinkler ? Briist. \_Comes foricard.~\ Sir? David. I was saying that the elect of the earth, and by the elect of the earth I mean every man who has a vote, may get cheaper swipes when I have solved my prob- lem of sun-spots. Briist. Sir? David. Your grandchildren shall be amply provided for, Brinkler. [^Turns to Copeland.] Drink. [^Exit Brinkler puzzled.'] A prosperous voyage and a safe return, old fellow. {^Drinks.l^ I've drunk to your folly, now drink to mine. Cop. Tell me all about it, Davy. It is folly, then? David. Ko, if folly is happiness, folly is the greatest wisdom. 19 ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Cop. You are happy, then ? David. INods.'] Yes. And wretched, beyond all telling. Cop. Why? David. I shall never win her. She'll never be mine, George. And if she were, — that might be the saddest thing of all. How? Cop. David. When the desired one becomes the possessed one, her beauty fades, I love her, George, and I want to keep on loving her. [Copeland laughs.'] Laugh at me! I laugh at myself. I was forty-two last August. You know pretty much what my life has been. Drink one glass, old boy, to the days when we were twenty-five, and to our old loves. Cop. [Drinks.] Our old loves. Your last one, Davy? David. Ah ! She soured me, but she didn't break my heart. And she drove me to my sun-spots. So God bless her I God bless them all ! Whatever I've been in practice, George, in theory I've always had the most perfect loyalty to womankind of any man that ever breathed. [Copeland laughs.] Don't laugh, you rascal! I meant it! I've always kept my reverence for them, and I've always known that some day or the other I should meet one who would make me worship her with the purest devotion a man can feel for a woman. Cop. And you have met her ? 20 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I David. [Nods, looking towards bar.'] She's in there, flirting with the choicest blackguard in England. Cop. You poor dear fool ! You always would pay half-a- crown for anything you could get for twopence. David. Yes, but I always knew what a fool I was. Do you think I don't know what a fool I am now ? George, it's not any empress, not any goddess, but just that girl in the bar there that owns me body and soul.^ Cop. Pack up your traps and come to Alaska and forget her. David. [Hand on his heart. ~\ She's packed herself here, and here she'll lie snug and warm till all grows cold.* [Looking over to bar.] And that blackguard is talk- ing to her! Cop. Who is he ? Sir Brice Skene.^ The racing man? Yes. He's rich. If he— what? David. Cop. David. George, if he- Cop. David. He shook hands with her last night.^ When his finger-tips touched hers, I felt I could kill him, George. And if he — if he — ]N'o, I wrong her ! She's a good woman. And yet, damn him, he has twenty thousand a year * Rising and going l. c. • Music ceases. * Moves dovmit. * Returns c. War?* band. 21 ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Talcing up wine. * David goes a * Cop. rises and goes R. c. The ostler comes doion steps and waits by gate. Music begins. Cop. Is it a question of money? David. What do you mean ? ^ Cop. I've not a single near relation in the world. My father left me, I suppose, from two to three hundred thousand pounds. [Holds out hand.'] Davy, say the word David. JSTo, George. Cop. Why should you hesitate ? David. I don't want it. I've just enough for my wants. I've only Eddie to provide for. And I've only one extravagance. [Tapping the bottle.] I love good wine, and plenty — not too much — of it. Cop. But if you were rich — perhaps she — David. Thanks, George; I won't buy her.^ Cop. You're welcome. David. I know it. Cop. By Jove, I've only just time to catch the mail. Good- bye, Davy. [They stand hand in hand for some moments.^'] I've left a couple of thousand at Coutt's in your name. David. I shan't use it. Cop. As you please. 22 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I * Dulcie and Sir Brice ap- pear in ba r ; she is wiping glasses. ' Moves up c. David. How long shall you be away? Cop. I shan't come back till I've stood on Mount Saint Elias. Can I do anything for you ? ^ David. Yes. Tell me the quality of the moonshine on the top. Cop. The same quality as your moonshine here, and just as real. David. Is anything real? [^Looking at the fox-hunters and dancers-l I've lived so long alone with only Eddie that the world has grown quite spectral to me.^ Look at these phantoms ! [Pointing to the fox-hunters and dancers.^ Is anything real, George? Cop. Yes; that two thousand at Coutts'. David. And friendship. Friendship is real, isn't it ? [Shad- ing hands.^ God bless you, George. I'll come to the station with you. (As he is going off Dulcie enters from har. Sib Brice Skene following her.'\ David. [Sees her.'] N'o! [Shakes hands."] Don't break your neck over Mount Saint Elias! Cop. Don't break your heart over a woman! David. Yes, I shall. After all I'm only playing at life, and so I'll break my heart over her — in play. Cop. Stick to your sun-spots ! [Exit.^] 23 ' L. Osflcr closes gate and goes up steps. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Sib Brick ^Catching sight of the suhscriptilon list.'] What a confounded lot of widows and orphans there are in the world! David. ^ h. of h.c. fable. * Dulcie moves c. [Sitting on the other side."^] Miss Larondie is an orphan. DUL. Yes, or I shouldn't be here. I wonder why all we superfluous women were sent into the world! Sir Brice. [Leaning on the har.'\ You are not superfluous. You are indispensable. DUL. To whom? Sir Brice. To me. DuL. [MaJces a profound mock curtsy. 1 You do me proud. [Calls to David.^] Mr. Remon, can you tell me why I was sent into the world ? David. To be indispensable to Sir Brice Skene. Sir Brice. [Aside to Dulcie.] Why do you talk to that fellow ? DuL. [Aside to Sir Brice.] Oh, he amuses me. I can make such a fool of him, and — I'm so sick of this. Sir Brice. I'll send you my new mare on Friday. Come to the meet. DuL. I daren't. What would everybody say ? Sir Brice. What does it matter ? I'll send you the mare. 24 THE MASOUERADERS ACT I ' Dulcie crosses down R. DUL. N'o. They'd all cut me. Would your sister chaperon me ? You know she wouldn't. Sir Brice. My dear — ^you've made an awful mistake. DuL. Don't call me your dear.^ I won't have it. Sir Brice. [With a little laugh.'] My dear, you've made an awful mistake, and there's only one way out of it. DuL. I don't wish to get out of it. Let them laugh at me, and cut me. I can bear it. Sir Brice. Don't be a fool. If I were to offer you [In a low voice.'\ DuL. [Stops him.] N'o. Pray don't. I shan't take it. Sir Brice. [Bending nearer to her.^] But if I were to offer you David. [To Sir Brice.] .Will you give me those matches, please ? Sir Brice. Take them.» [Enter Jimmy Stokes, an old huntsman in an old hunting suit.] DuL. Oh, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes, I'm so glad to see you! How are you, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes ? Jimmy. [Beaming old fellow of about seventy.] Oh, I'm just tol-lol, miss, for a hold 'un. How's yourself, miss? 25 * David ris6s and crosses to c. * Sir Brice goes up c, David takes matches, walks back to table and seats himself at it ; lights a candle avd reads. Bell ring l. Ostler enters, opens gate. Jim- my Stoke.t en- ters, shakes hands toith Ostler, crosses c. and shakes hand with Dulcie. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS DUL. Oh, this isn't myself, Jimmy. Myself's dead and buried, and when I come back to life I shall find this queer creature has been playing all sorts of mad pranks in my absence. Sit down, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes, and put a name on it. Jimmy. Well, just a little wee drop of gin, miss, if I ain't intruding. DuL. Intruding, Jimmy ? You ought to be welcome at any meet of the Crandover.-^ Jimmy. Head whip five-and-thirty years, I was. And thinks I, I'll look in to-night. So I washes myself up, putts on my old whip's coat, and here I be as bold as brass. You see, miss, I be a privileged party, I be. Thank you, miss — Woa, woa, miss — woa ! ^ [Sir Bkice and David have been sitting at table, looTcing at each other.~\ Sib Beice. You spoke? David. 1^0. [The look is continued for some moments.*^ Sir Brice. [Folds his arms over the table, leans over them to David.] What the devil do you mean ? David. [Folds his arms over the table so that they meet Sir Brice's, leans over them so that the two mens faces almost touch.'\ I mean to kill you if you dishonour her. Sir Brice. J Sir Brice comes and sits L. c. Dul- cie goes to bar and pours out gin. ' Dulcie is add- ing water. Call-Fan. Shar., Rod.. Ran., Carter. You'll kill me? I'll kill you. David. 26 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I Sir Bkice. I'll have her one way or the other. David. You're warned. [Sir Beice rises, goes towards Dulcie^ is about to speak to her. David turns round and looks at him. Sir Brice stops, calls out to Dulcie^ ivho is talking over the bar to Jimmy Stokes.] Sir Brice. Miss Larondie, I'll send you the mare on Friday. [DuLCiE shakes her head. Sir Brice looks at David and exit.^ Jimmy. Well, here's luck to you, miss, and I wish I could see you going across the country with the C. H. as you used — that's all the harm I wish you, for you was a sweet, pretty figure on horseback, you was, and you rode straight, you and your father, wire and all — you rode straight. DUL. Don't remind me of old times, Jimmy.^ [^Tiirns to David mischievously. 1 Mr. Remon, it's getting late. Isn't it time you were going ? * David. [^Rises.l Grood-night.^ DuL. Good-night. [As he is passing out to door she calls Mr. Remon- David. out to him again.^ IStops.^ DuL. I've something to say to you. David. [^Coming to her.'] What is it ? 27 1 Dulcie crosses to c. * Call— Hel- en {hand- bag.) * David moves up L,. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS 1 Points to papers. Music ceases. DUL. [Tapping her forehead impatiently. 1 It's gone! Would you mind waiting there till I think what it is ? David. Certainly. DUL. That's so good of you. [LooJcs him up and down a little while mischievously.^ Can I give you a book while you wait ? Here's " Bradshaw," the " Turf Guide," this week's ** Sporting Times." ^ David. I shouldn't understand it. I'll look at you. DUL. Do you understand me ? David. Perfectly. DuL. I don't understand you. David. You will some day. [The dance has finished, and a crowd of young men dancers, Fancourt, Carter, Randall, Rodney, .Sharland, come chattering and laughing to the bar, and shout for drinks together.^'] Fan. I say, Miss Larondie, I'm dying for a whisky and soda. Car. Lemon squash. Ran. A baby bottle of jump. Rod. Brandy and soda. Fan. Don't serve him, Miss Larondie. He's three parts squiffy already. Rod. Shut up, Fan. 28 THE MASOUERADERS ACT I SlIAB. A gin cocktail, Miss Larondie, and I'll show you how to mix it. Fan. Don't trust him, miss. He wants to sneak a sample of your spirits for the public analyst. Rod. Serve me first, Miss Larondie, and I'll give you a guinea for Dick Ramsden's widow, \_General hubbub and clatter.'] DUL. Order, order, gentlemen ! Jimmy Stokes, take this gentleman's guinea and go round with this list, and see what you can get for poor Dick's family. [Jimmy takes the subscription list, and is seen to go round with it to several of the bystanders, and talk to them in dumb show.^] Fan. I'll go behind and help you. Miss. [Lifts up the lid of the counter, and tries to push in.~\ Rod. [Pushing him back.] Sling, you animal! I'm going to be under-barmaid here. [They both push in behind the bar.] Fan. ISTo, you don't. ISTow, gents, your orders, and no larking with us poor unprotected females. [Putting his arm round Dulcie's waist.] [Helen Larondie enters and stands watching DULCIE.] DuL. [Indignantly to Fancoukt.] How dare you? Rod. [On the other side, puts his arm round her waist — to Fancourt.] How dare you ? 29 * Bell rings l. Ostler opens gate. Jim- my, having been round group, sits R. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS * Brinkler en- ters R . Stands smil- ing at them. DUL. [^Disengaging herself indignantly.'] Pass out! Do you hear 1 Pass out ! ^ [Showing them the way out. Sees Helen standing there, shows great shame.] Nell! Pan. [Seizes Rodney hy the collar and runs him out.] Pass out ! Do you hear ? Pass out ! [Runs him out of the har.] Erin, Gentlemen ! Gentlemen 1 If you please ! gentlemen ! If you please! DuL. Mr. Brinkler, my sister has come for me. Would you mind waiting on these gentlemen? [They clamour round Brinkler, repeating their orders for drinks. Dulcie goes to her sister.] DuL. JSTell! [Kisses her.] Helen. My dear. DuL. Come and talk to me. [Takes her up to where David is standing. She catches sight of David^ who has heen watching the scene ivith a mixture of bitter- ness and amusement. Seeing David.] Mr. Pemon — I had forgotten you. David. ^ You had such pleasant companions. DuL. I have wasted your time. David. It's of no value. DuL. But I'm afraid I've made you rather foolish. 30 * Comes doivn THE MASQUERADERS ACT I * Ostler opens gate. ' David exit through gate. Ostler goes up steps and off. * Warn band. David. In a world of fools it's a distinction to play the fool for you. In a world of shadows, what does it matter what part one plays ? Good-night. ■'■ DUL. ISTo, come again. David. It's nearly closing time. DUL. But we shall be late to-night. Come again by and by. David. By and by. lExit.^] Helen. Who is that ? DuL. His name's Remon. He has haunted the place for the last month. He's in love with me. I can make him do any foolish thing I please.* [Brinkler serves the young men with drinks. The music strikes up again, and they gradually go off, leaving the stage with only Dulcie and Helen on it.'] Nell, I'm so glad — what makes you come so late ? Helen. \_A soft-voiced, gentle woman of about thirty, in a nurse's dress.~] I've just had a telegram to go and nurse a typhoid case at Moorbrow, so I shan't see you for a few weeks. You still like it here ? ^ DuL. [Rather defiantly]. Yes, It's livelier than being a governess, and it isn't so horrid as nursing typhoid. Helen. {^Smiling.'] Dear, there's nothing horrid about nurs- ing. It's just like a mother and her baby. DuL. How awful sweet that must be. [^Looking at her sister.] How patiently you take our comedown, 31 » Sits L. c. right of Dulcie. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS Kneeling by her. Miisic begins. Nell. Instead of rebelling and hating everybody as I do, you've just gone and nursed all these dirty peo- ple and made yourself quite happy over it. Helen. I've found out the secret of living. DUL. What's that ? Helen. Forget yourself. Deny yourself. Renounce your- self. It's out of the fashion just now. But some day the world will hear that message again. DuL. [LooJcing at Helen with admiration .''^1 I wish I was good like you, J^ell. No, I don't. I don't want to deny myself, or renounce myself, or forget myself. I want to enjoy myself, and to see life. That's why I screwed up my courage and answered Brinkler's advertisement, and came here. Helen. And are you enjoying yourself ? * DuL. [Defiantly']. Yes, after a fashion, man, or one of those girls upstairs, have all the pleasure and happiness of life ? Helen. You're sure they have all the pleasure and happiness of life? Dul. At any rate they've got w^hat I want. Oh, how I long for life ! How I could enjoy it ! Hark ! [Dance music swells.l Isn't that dance maddening? I must dance! [Begins.'] Oh, Nell, I was made for society! Oh, for London! for pleasure! To be somebody in the world ! How I would worship any man who would raise me to a position! And wouldn't I repay him ? What parties I'd give ! I'd 32 I wish I was a Why should they THE MASQUERADERS ACT I • General call. have all London at my feet ! I could do it ! I know I could ! Oh, is there anybody who will take me out of this dead-alive hole and give me the life I was made for ? * [Flings herself wildly round, half dancing, and drops her head into Helen's lap sobbing. '\ Helen. [Stroking Dulcie's hair very softly.'] My poor Dulcie ! I knew you weren't happy here. DUL. I hate it! I hate it! Nell, don't be surprised if I do something desperate before long. Helen. Dulcie, you'll do nothing vn-ong. [Lifting up Dulcie's head, looking keenly at her."] DuL. What do you mean ? Nell, you know I wouldn't. Kiss me, ducky. .Say you know I wouldn't. Helen. [Kisses her."] I don't think you would, but — when I came in and saw those two men DuL. [Quickly.'] Boys. They meant nothing. One has to put up with a good deal here. Men aren't nice creatures.^ Helen. Dulcie, you must come away from this. DuL. Where ? What can I do ? I wish somebody would marry me. What wouldn't I give to cut Lady Clarice as she cut me to-night ! Helen. Did she cut you ? DuL. Yes. She gave me one look — Nell, if she looks at 3 33 ' Dulcie rises. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS * Goes R. c. * Helen rises and joins Dulcie. me again like that, I don't care what happens, 1 shall box her ears.-^ Helen. Dulcie ! DUL. But if she cuts me, Sir Brice has cut her. And he pays me no end of attention.^ Helen. You're not growing friendly with Sir Brice ? DUL. ISTo — yes — he's always paying me compliments, and asking me to take presents. Helen. You haven't taken his presents ? DUL. 1^0. Don't fear, Nell, I'll take nothing from him except — if he were really fond of me, I'd marry him, :Nell. Helen. ISTo, dear, no. He's not a good man. DUL. ISTell, there ain't any good men left in the world. The race is extinct. I daresay Sir Brice is as good as the rest, and if he were to ask me I should say " yes." [Helen shakes her head*} Yes, I should, ISTell. And I should make him a good wife, Nell, for there are the makings of a good wife in me. I should say " yes," and oh, wouldn't I like to see Lady Clarice's face when she hears the news. Helen. I hope he won't ask you, Dulcie. DuL. Stranger things have happened. Helen, I must be going. I've to watch a fever case to-night. 34 • Music ceases. THE MASQUERADERS ACT I ' Laugh off. DUL. [Twining Helen's arms round her neck.^ I wish I could have a fever. Helen. Dulcie ! DuL. It would be so lovely to be nursed by you. [Hug- ging her.^ I shall never love a man as I love you, Nell. But I suppose that's a different kind of love. [Helen sighs.l What makes you sigh? Helen. Good-bye, Dulcie. DuL. Good-bye, you dear, nice, soft, warm, comforting thing. You're as good as a boa, or a muff, or a poultice to me.^ I'll let you out this way. It's nearer for you. [Exeunt Helen and Dulcie tJirougli har.'] [Sir Brice enters from hall-room, followed by Lady Crandover, Lady Clarice following. Lady Clarice goes and sits down quite apai't.^ Lady Cran. Sir Brice ! ^ [Sir Brice turns, stops.'\ Lady Cran. [Somewhat emharrassed}. Do you know what peo- ple are saying of you ? Sir Brice. I haven't an idea. But whatever it is, don't stop them. Lady Cran. Sir Brice. All through the season you have paid the most marked attention to Clarice. Sir Brice. I admire Lady Clarice immensely. I have a very in- 35 * Lady Cran. going doicn c. Sir Brice going down L. c. Guests follows slow- ly on and move down R. and u. A lady and gentleman enter front vp R., on gallery, and go L. c. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS • Goes L. with Clarice, genuoiis nature, and perhaps I allowed it to become too apparent. Lady Cran. You allowed it to become so apparent that every one in the county supposed as an honourable man — * Sir Brice. Ah, that's a nice point, isn't it ? If Crandover thinks I have behaved dishonourably, the Englishman's three remedies are open to him — he can write a letter to the " Times," or he can bring an action, or — he can horsewhip me. Personally, I'm indifferent which course he takes. Excuse me. [Goes off into the har.l Lady Ckan. \_Enraged and almost in tears, goes to Clarice]. My dear, he's a brute ! What an awful life his wife will have ! ^ Lady Clae. Then why did you run after him ? Why did you let me encourage him ? Lady Cran. Clarice, he has twenty thousand a year. Lady Clar. But everybody says he'll run through it in a few years. He lost fifty thousand on the Leger alone. Lady Cran. I know. Oh yes, he'll soon get through it. Well, now you've lost him, it's a great comfort to think what a perfect brute he is. You've had a lucky escape. DuLciE re-enters from har. Jimmy re-enters with subscription list.^ Lady Clar. [Watching Dulcie.] Yes, but I don't like being thrown aside for that miss there. 36 * Laugh off k., Jimmy Stokes is run on c. by Fan., Shar., Rod. and Ran. Jimmy has the list and is seen expostu- lating with them. Mon., Char, and Lord C. fol- low. THE MASRUERADERS ACT I What luck, Jimmy? IShahes his head.^ DUL. Jimmy. DUL. [Takes the subscription list from him.li Oh, Jimmy Jimmy Stokes, when we keep a Punch and Judy show, I'll never send you round with the hat.^ Jimmy. Ah, miss, we know how you could get a peck of money for 'em — don't we, Mr. Fancourt? Fan. By Jove, yes. Jimmy has made a splendid sugges- ton, Miss Larondie. The only question is, will you agree to it ? DuL. What is it, Jimmy? Jimmy. You back me up, miss, that's all, will you ? ^ DuL. Certainly. Anji;hing to keep Mrs. Ramsden and her chickabiddies out of the workhouse.* I always feel, you know, Jimmy, that it was through me that Dick was killed. Fan. Through you, Miss Larondie ? DuL. I was leading across Drubhill. I took the drop into the road. Dick was next behind. His horse stumbled and [shuddersl they picked him up dead. [x4ZZ the young fellows have crowded round and listen.^^ Jimmy.* 'Twas me as picked him up if you remember, miss, and took him home, I did, ah, it's three years ago 37 • Returns list to him. ' TJiree other guests enter from up R. on gallery and join people over bar. * Call David. ^ Charley comes doivn R. * Diiring speech, all lauyh or ac- quiesce as required. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS last February, yes, and I broke the news to his wife, I did, and what's more, I helped to lay Dick out, I did, and I says to his wife, " Don't take on now, you foolish woman," I says, " why," I says, " it might have been felo-de-se^ But it were a nasty drop jump, miss, a nasty drop jump. DUL. And if I hadn't taken it, perhaps Dick might have been alive now. Jimmy. !Not he, not he. Dick'd have drunk himself to death before this. He was a royal soul, Dick was. And if you'll only back me up, we'll raise a little fortune for Mrs. Ramsden in no time. DuL. Very well, Jimmy. But what is this plan, eh, Mr. Fancourt ? Fan. Tell her, Jimmy. You started it.^ Jimmy. Well, miss, seeing all these young gents here, it struck me as, human nature being what it is, and no getting over it, no offence I hope to anybody, but if you was to offer to sell one, mind you, only one, of your kisses to the highest bidder DuL. [Indigantly.~\ What? MoN. Rod, and Ran. urge Jimmy on. * Mon. has come down to R. of Dul- cie. Three guests leave the court- yard and go into gallery L. Following them appears a housemaid L. ," and a lit- tle later the ostler and two parlour maids enter on gallery from R. A very excellent and original suggestion ! ^ Dul. The idea ! What nonsense ! Fan. N^onsense ? I call it a jolly good idea. Shar, Splendid ! By Jove, we'll carry it out too. 38 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I DUL. Indeed we won't. Jiminy, give me that list. [Takes the subscription list from Jimmy.] Mr. Fancoiirt will give me something, I'm sure. Fan. I should be delighted, but [nudging Sharland] fact is, I've promised Sharland I wouldn't give any- thing except on the conditions Jimmy Stokes has just laid down. DuL. Mr. Sharland. Shar. Very sorry. Miss Larondie, but fact is [nudging Eancourt] I've promised Fancourt I wouldn't give anything except on the conditions Jimmy Stokes has laid down. [DuLciE turns away indignantly, sees Lady Cran- DOVER and Lady Clarice, hesitates a moment, then goes somewhat defiantly to them,.'] DuL. Lady Crandover, may I beg you for a small subscrip- tion to Dick Ramsden's widow and children ? Lady Cran. [Very coolly. ~\ I always leave such things to Lord Crandover. [Turns away.] DuL. Perhaps Lady Clarice Lady Cran. I thought I heard some one propose a way in which you could raise some money. Sir Brice. [Coming from bar.] Raise some money? What's the matter here ? Fan. Jimmy Stokes has just proposed that Miss Larondie 39 ACT I THE MASQUERADERS should benefit the Dick Ramsden fund by selling a kiss by auction. Sir Brice. What does Miss Larondie say ? DUL. Impossible ! MoN. !N"ot in the least. If you will allow me, gentlemen, I will constitute myself auctioneer. [To Dulcie.] I beg you will place yourself entirely in my hands, Miss Larondie.^ Trust to my tact to bring this aifair to a most successful issue. After all, it's not so indelicate as slumming. DuL. No, no! MON.2 * Lady Cran. rises — Carter vioves a chair L. Lady Cran. sits. Clarice stands beloio her. Carter above. • Rodney sits on barrel be- low Monty and prepares to record bids. When Monty asks for hammer, Randall, who has mov- ed over to bar gets mal- let, hands it to Jimmy, who passes it to Monty. Monty conghs with mock deference and every- body ap- plauds. He then says " Ladies and gentlemen ; " Jimmy .'ill nuts " Hear, hear!'''' He is quieted by Rodney — Monty pro- ceeds. ' During this speech all ap- plaud, or laugh or agree as oc- casion de- viands. * Dtdcie ap- peals to Mon- ty and Jim,- my in turn. Allow me. A rostrum. Rodney, you are my clerk. That wine case. \_A wine case is brought forioard from sideJ^^ And that barrel, if please. A ham- mer. [A large mallet, such as is used for hammering bungs in beer barrels is given to him.~\ Thank you [He mounts.~\ Ladies and gentlemen. [Chorus of ''Hear, hear."^'] We must all admit that the methods of raising the wind for all sorts of worthless persons and useless charities stand in need of entire revision. Fancy fairs, amateur theatricals, tableaux vivants, and such grotesque futilities have had their day. In the interests of those long-suffering persons who get up charity entertainments, and those yet more long-suffering persons who attend them, it is high time to inaugurate a new departure. [Cries of " Hear, hear,"^ Ladies and gentlemen, there are three questions I take it which we ask ourselves when we raise a charitable subscription. Firstly, how shall we advertise ourselves, or amuse ourselves, as the case may be ? Secondly, how far shall we be able to fleece our friends and the public ? Thirdly, is the charity a deserving one ? — The only really vital ques- 40 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I tion of the three is " How shall we amuse ourselves in the sacred cause of charity ? " [Cries of " Hear hear."^ Lady Cran. Lushington, stop this nonsense before it goes any further ! Do you hear ? MoN. Ladies and gentlemen, I am in your hands. Shall I go on? [Loud cries of " Yes, yes — Go on — Go on, Monty — Go on, Lushington/'J Lord Cran. [To Lady Clarice.] Now she'll disgrace herself. Sir Brice. [Having overheard.^ What did you say, Lady Crandover ? Lady Cran. Nothing, Sir Brice. Sir Brice. I understood you to say that Miss Larondie would disgrace herself. DUL. [With shame-l Oh, Sir Brice, please let me go! -^ David Remon enters. Dulcie going off comes face to face with him — stops. Sir Brice. No, stay. Don't take any notice of what has been said. David. What has been said ? ^ Sir Brice. What business is it of yours? Miss Larondie is a connection of my family. Go on, Lushington — Go on. We'll have this auction — it's in the cause of charity, isn't it ? Go on ! 41 • Dulcie goes over to Sir Brice. * Dulcie comes back to Jim- vit/, who after a ivhile puts a stool in c. of stage, upon which Dulcie sits. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS David. [To Montagu.] What auction? What charity? MON. [^Soothingly.'] Gentlemen, gentlemen, we are taking this far too seriously. Pray be calm and allow me to to proceed. [Cries of "Hear! Hear! — Go on, Monty!"] In an age when, as all good moralists lament, love is so often brought into the market, the marriage market — and other markets — and is sold to the highest bidder, it would, I am convinced, require a far more alarming outrage on propriety than that which we are now about to commit, to cause the now obsolete and unfashionable blush of shame to mount into the now obsolete and unfashionable cheek of modesty. Gentlemen, without further ado I offer for your competition — one kiss from Miss Larondie. [Movement on the part of David. Sir Brice and he stand confronting each other.] One kiss from Miss Larondie. What shall I say, gentlemen? A sovereign. Fan. MoN. A sovereign is offered. I will on my own account advance ten shillings. Thirty shillings is offered, gentlemen. Shar. Thirty-five shillings MoN. I cannot take an advance of less than ten shillings on this lot. Shall I say two pounds ? [Sharland nods.] Sir Brice. A fiver. [David steps forward towards Sir Brice.] MoN. Thank you. A fiver. You are trifling, gentlemen. 42 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I Fan. Six. MON. Six guineas — guineas only. Six guineas is offered. Gentlemen, if you do not bid up, in justice to my client I must withdraw the lot. Shab. Seven. Sir Brice. Ten. MoN. Ten guineas. Gentlemen, only ten guineas — only ten guineas for this rare and genuine, this highly desirable David. Twenty guineas. MoN. Twenty guineas. Thank you, sir. This gentleman, sees the quality of the article I am submitting Sir Brice. Thirty.! MoN. Thirty guineas. Gentlemen, is the age of chivalry dead ? Mr. Fancourt, you are credited with some small amount of prowess among helpless ladies Shar. Cut in, Fan. Fan. Thirty-one. MoN. Cannot take advances of less than five guineas. Thirty-five guineas. Gentlemen, will you force me to expatiate further on this exquisite David. Forty. Sir Brice. Fifty. 43 » Advancing to c. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS [David and Sik Bkice are getting nearer to each other.^ LoKD Ckan. Lushington, this is enough. This is getting beyond a joke MoN. * General laugh. Then it's the only thing in life that ever did, so we'll continue.^ Bid up, gentlemen, bid up. I am assured, gentlemen, by my client, the vendor, that on no account will this lot ever be duplicated. I am therefore offering you a unique opportunity of pur- chasing what I will venture to describe as the most David. Sixty. Seventy. Enough — enough ! Sik Bkice. Lord Cran". Stop this jest. MoN. Jest ? I presume you are in earnest, gentlemen, about the purchase of this lot ? David. I am. Sir Brice. Go on, go on. MoN. Seventy guineas, seventy guineas. Gentlemen, you have not all done? Mr. Eancourt, faint heart Shar. Have another shy, Ean. Ean. Seventy-five. MoN. Seventy-five. Going at seventy-five guineas — the only chance ; going at seventy-five guineas. 44 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I David. [Looking at David.] Sir Bkice. {Getting close to David.] David. Sir Brice. Fan. I say, Bricey, don't let me in. Sir. Brice. Eighty. Ninety. A hundred. Two hundred. Three hundred. Lord Cran. Skene, come away, do you hear? Come away. [Trying to drag Sir Brice away.^ Sir Brice. Let me be. What's the last bidding, Lushington ? MoN. Three hundred guineas. Sir Brice. Eive.i A thousand. Fifteen hundred. Two thousand. David. Sir Brice. David. Sir Brice. • Dulcie rises and stands between them. Three, and [groivling~\ be damned to you! [Pause.^ Knock it down. Lushington.* [Long pause. David shows disappointment.^ MoN. Three thousand guineas is offered, gentlemen. [Pause.^ No further bid ? Going at three thousand. Going, going. [KnocJiS it down.^ Sir Brice, the lot is yours at three thousand guineas. 45 * Warn band. Call Eddie. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS * Brinkler turns to bar counter, gets writing things, then takes out pocket-hook and gets stamp. Sir Brice sits at R. c. to tcrite cheque — reads out : — " National Provincial Bank, Cr an- dot^er. pay Montagu Lushington, Esq., three thoiieand guinea.s." Brinkler affixes stamp. Sir B. rises and hands cheque to Monty, xuho has come down B. * Music begins. SiK Bkice. Brinkler, pens, ink, and paper [Stepping towards barrel. David You've no further business liere.^ and a stamp. comes to him.^ David. Yes, I think. [Pens, ink, and paper are brought to Sir Brice; he hastily dashes off the cheque, gives it to Mon- tagu.] MoN. Thank you. Miss Larondie, a cheque for three thou- sand guineas. You have secured an annuity for your protegees. DUL. [Refusing the cheque.~\ ]^o. Sir Brice. Miss Larondie. [David looks at him.'] It will per- haps save any further misconstruction if I tell these ladies and gentlemen that an hour ago I asked you to do me the honour to become my wife. [General surprise.'] DuL. Sir Brice Sir Brice. Will you do me the favour to take that cheque for your charity, and the further favour of becoming Lady Skene ? [Montagu offers the cheque. A pause. Dulcie looks round, looks at Lady Clarice^ takes the cheque.] * DuL. Thank you, Sir Brice. I shall be very proud. [David shows quiet despair. Goes to back. Half the guests crowd round Sir Brice and Dulcie, cojigratulating. The others show surprise, interest, and amazement.] 46 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I ' A general exit begins — people on gallery exit R. and L. those on stage go off into ball- room. Lady Cean. [In a very loud voice.^ My carriage at once. LoKD Cran. [In a low voice to her.'\ We'd better stay and make the best of it. Lady Cean. Iso, my carriage. Come, Clarice. [Goes off. A good many of the guests follow Zier.] [Exeunt Lady Claeice and Loed Ceandovek.^] SiE Beice. [To Fancouet.] The Crandovers have gone off in a huff. Bet you a tenner they'll dine with me before three months. FAisr. Done! Sir Beice. [To DuLCiE.] If you will allow me, I will place you in my sister's care. She's in the ball-room. Due. [Looking at her dress.l No, Sir Brice, not yet. I've one of my old evening dresses upstairs. May I put it on ? Sir Beice. Yes, if you like. I'll wait for you at the ball-room door. DUL. I won't be a moment. [Running off up stairs with great excitement and delight.^ MoN. [To Sir Brice.] Congratulate you heartily, Sir Brice. [Offering hand.} Sir Brice. [Taking it.l Oh, I suppose it's all right. 47 ACT I THE MASQUERADERS > Turns away and lights cigarette. ' L. through gate. • David rises, comes down to table L. c, puts out can- dle, cross to H. table, throws down pen, sits R.c. ; tries to read but brealcs down. Eddie enters from ball-room and goes to him. Shar. [To SiK Brice.] Your wooing was charmingly fresh and original, Sir Brice. Sir Brice. Think so ? ^ Char. [To Monty.] What on earth does he want to marry the girl for? MoN. Somebody has bet him a guinea he wouldn't [Exeunt Charley and Montagu into the hall-room.'] Fan. Bravo, Bricey, my boy! This'll make up to you for losing the Leger. Sir Brice. Think so ? I'll go and get a smoke outside [Exit at gates-l Shar. [To Fancourt.] Just like Bricey to do a silly fool's trick like this. Fan. I pity the girl. Bricey will make a sweet thing in husbands. Shar. By Jove, yes. Her life'll be a regular beno, and no mistake. [Exeunt ^ David is left alone sitting at hacJc.^'] [Enter Eddie. David drinks and laughs rather "bitterly to himself .'\ Eddie. What's gone wrong, Davy ? David. Miss Larondie is going to marry Sir Brice Skene. 48 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I Eddie. Oil, then the solar system is all out of joint! Poor old big brother ! David. I won't feel it, Eddie, I won't feel it. Eddie. Yes, you will, Davy. Yes, you will. Why weren't you tumbled into Mars, or Jupiter, or Saturn, or into any world but this ? David. Why ? Eddie. This is the very worst world that ever spun round, for a man who has a heart. Look at all the heartless and stupid people ; what a paradise this is for them ! David. I'll forget her and plunge into my work.^ There are millions of new worlds to discover. Eddie. Yes, but are they all like this ? because if they are, what's the use of discovering millions more of them ? Oh, Davy, isn't there one perfect world out of all the millions — just one — where everything goes right, and fiddles never play out of tune ? David. There isn't one, Eddie, not one of all the millions. They're all alike.^ Eddie. And breaking hearts in all of them ? Oh, let's pretend there's just one perfect star somewhere, shall we? David. Oh, very well ; let's pretend there's one in the nebula of Andromeda. It's a long way off, and it does no 4 49 * Rises and goes c. — Ed- die sits R. on table. * Returns to him. ACT I THE MASQUERADERS harm to pretend. Besides, it makes the imbroglio of the miiverse complete if there is one perfect world somewhere in it.^ * Moves doion L. Olid stands with back to audience— Miisic ceases. 3 Goes up R. c. Eddie stops him. ' Moves doxvn L. c. Eddie follows c. ♦ Warn band — %varn cur- tain. * Upi.. ^ David goes up c. Mo- tfovs Eddie away. ^ Dtdcie crosses c. David re- mains L. c. Music begins. Sir Brice enters smoking, throws away his cigarette, looks at David rather insolently, goes into the hall- room. David.^ If he doesn't treat her well — what does it matter? It's all a farce, but if he doesn't treat her well, I feel, Eddie, I could put a murder into the farce, just for fun.^ Eddie. Come home, Davy.* David. Let me be, my boy. It's only a pinprick. I shall get over it. Eddie. I wish I could bear it for you, Davy. David. That would only mean your heart breaking instead of mine. Eddie. Don't you think I'd break my heart for you, Davy ? DUL. [Her voice heard ojf.'^'] Thanks ! I can't wait ! Sir Brice is waiting for me ! ^ Eddie. Poor old big brother! [Exit, l,] [Enter Dulcie down the stairs in evening dress, ex- cited, radiant.^]; DuL. [Seeing David,] I thought you'd gone. Did you hear ? I'm to be Lady Skene. Do I look nice ? * [Very excited.^ I beg your pardon — I don't know 50 THE MASQUERADERS ACT I * Dulcie crosses what I'm saying. [Lools roimd.li I wish there was a looking-glass here.-"- I wonder where Sir Brice is — I'm to be Lady Skene — won't you congratulate me ? David. I hope you will be happy. DUL. 'No, congratulate me. David. I hope you will be happy. DUL. Ah, you think I shan't be happy? Then I will, just to spite you ! ^ David. Ah, do spite me and be happy. DuL. [Fidgeting with her dress.'] I'm sure my dress isn't right. Wasn't that a jest about the kiss? David. A great jest. DuL. You wouldn't have really given two thousand guineas for a kiss from me? David. [Nods.'] Why not? Sir Brice gave fifty thousand for the pleasure of losing the Leger. DuL. But he stood to win. David. So did I. DuL. What? David. The kiss. » Dulcie crosses ACT I THE MASQUERADERS DUL. But you wouldn't really have given two thousand guineas for it? David. [Nods.^ I think highly of women It's a pleasing delusion of mine. Don't disturb it. DuL. \_Loohing at him, after a little pause.l You are the strangest creature, but what a splendid friend you'd make! I'm keeping Sir Brioe waiting. ITurns round, sees that the lace on the shirt of her dress is hanging loose.^ Look at that lace! What can I do ? [ Giving him a pin.^ Would you mind pinning that lace on my skirt ? David. [Takes the pin, Jcneels, and pins the lace, unseen hy DuLCiE^ kisses the skirt.'] Will that do? DuL. Thank you so much. Do I look nice ? [He looks up at her imploringly, like a dumb creature; she glances swiftly round to see that they are alone, suddenly bends and kisses him; runs up the ball-room steps. A burst of dance-musical [Three years and a half pass between Acts I. and II.] * Music ceases. 52 t/5 g" ^^ ^ ^Z ? ^""^ w ^ §, r < ^ 1 5. o H g 1 c i Q e^ ^ s ! en Takes her off R., Shar. and Lady Cran. folloxo them. Blanch, moves up L. C. ACT II THE IvIASQUERADERS • Blanch, moves down c. Sir Win. Lady Skene, let me beg you DUL. 'No, no, no, — you must patch me up and keep me going somehow till the end of the season, then you shall do what you like with me. Sir Win. But, Lady Skene DuL. [^Intense suppressed nervousness.'] But ^ [7m- ploringly.'] Oh, don't contradict me. — When any one speaks to me I feel I must shriek out *' Yah, yah, yah!" [Blanchflower has overheard the last speech. Dulcie sees that Blanchflower is loohing at her, controls herself after an immense effort, puts on society smile. To Blanchflower.] The bishop was talking to me just now about his mission to convert the West End of London, and I could scarcely keep from shrieking out to him " Yah, yah, yah ! " Isn't it strange? Blan. T^ot at all. Clergymen always produce that effect upon me.^ Dui.. [Turning to Sir Winchmore.] Sir Winchmore, you'll run up to the nursery and see Kosy before you go, won't you ? Sir Win. What's the matter ? DuL. Nothing, only a little tumble and a bruise. My sister Nell is with her, but you'll just see her ? Sir Win. Certainly. DuL. I'm so foolish about her. [Imploringly.'] She is strong and healthy, isn't she ? s ^ovet R. 62 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II SiK Win. 'A magnificent child. [Sir Brice Jias entered through other room. He looks coarser and more dissipated than in first Act, and is more hrutalised. There is a slight movement of all the guests away from him. Sharland enters r.] DUL. [Not seeing Sir Brice. To Sir Winchmore.] Really ? Eeally ? Sir Win. Really. Sir Brice and you may well be proud of her. [.Sir Brice's entrance has caused an awkward pause amongst the guests.^ Sir Win. We were talking of your youthful daughter, Sir Brice. Sir Brice. I hate hrats.^ •Jtfove«L. \_Another awTcward pause."] DuL. [To cover it, rattles away with forced gaiety.] We shall see you at Ascot, of course, Mr. Blanchflower. — Sir Winchmore, what are these frightful new waters that you are sending all your patients to ? — That reminds me. Lady Shalford, how is Sir Digby's gout? \_Slight continued movement of the guests away from Sir Brice.] Char.^ * ^<^<^^ of so/"- Terrible. I pack him off to Aix on Thursday. DuL. \S)ame tone.] So sorry he couldn't come to-night. Char. My dear, I'm very glad, and so I'm sure is everybody 63 ACT II THE MASQUERADERS who knows him. If Aix doesn't cure him, I shall try something drastic. Sir Brice.^ Serve him as I did my trainer Burstow. DUL. * Crosses to her, and stands L. of sofa. * Moves L. c. with Sir W. • Call David. [Noticing the guests' repulsion, slightly frowns at Sir Brice unobserved hy the guests, and goes on speaking to change the suhject-l We shall go to Ilomburg again ^ Sir Brice. [Speaks her down. To Charley.] Burstow had the gout. I treated him myself. [Coarse little chuckle.'l * I gave him a bottle of port, champagne at intervals, and brown brandy ad lib. A tombstone now marks Burstow's precise position, which is longi- tudinal. I wrote his epitaph, but the vicar wouldn't pass it. So the vicar and I have a law-suit on. [Another coarse little chuckle. Another awkward little pause.l DuL. [To cover it, continues.l Mr. Fancourt, did you make inquiries about the house-boat for us? Sir Brice. We shan't go to Henley. DuL. [To Fancourt.] Then of course you needn't make inquiries. Fan. But I've arranged it. My brother will be awfully delighted if you'll accept the loan of his for the Henley week. You and Sir Brice will be awfully pleased with it. Sir Brice. [2Iore decidedly.'] \\e shall not go to Henley. 64 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II * They move up ' Sharland moves down K. of him. DUL. [AnotJier covered frown at Sir Brice, agaiji con- trolling herself with immense effort and speaking very calmly. '\ Will you thank your brother and say we shall not be going, ^ \^Awhward pause. Sir Brice puts his hands in his pockets and yawns. Dulcie engages the group in conversation, and they crowd round her.'] Sir Brice. Percy,^ come and have a little game of poker in the smoking-room. Shar. Very sorry, Bricey, haven't so much as a fiver with me. Sir Brice. You can borrow. Can't you borrow, eh ? Shar. Very sorry, dear old chap ; never borrow or lend. \_Exit.^ Sir Brice stands and yawns, looks sulky and vicious, then calls out.] Sir Brice. Fancourt. [Fancourt glances hut does not come.] Fan — Fan, I say {At length Fancourt comes.'^] We're getting up a little hand at poker just to wind up this infernally dull evening. Fan. {^Shakes his head and laughs.] Not good enough, Bricey — not good enough. [Remon enters l. At his entrance guests show marked interest, and the conversation stops. Sir Brice watches with a sulky expression. Dulcie shows great pleasure, goes to meet Remon.] DuL. I'm so glad you've come. You have so many engage- ments. [Shakes hands.] 5 65 ' Shar. goes off * Fan. comes down on Sir Brice's r. TTiey move L., where Sir Brice sits ; Fan. stands behind him. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS * Moves front of sofa to c. David. jSTone more pleasing than this. Blan. I insist on knowing Mr. Eemon — somebody introduce me — introduce me.^ DUL. Mr. Remon — Mr. Percy Blanchflower. Blan. I'm so delighted to know yon. We want to look at Venus through that large telescope of yours. David. It's in the South of France. Blaist. I go there every winter. We were talking about your wonderful discoveries — hum ? eh ? We want to know all about them. David. Oh, spare me, or rather, yourselves.^ [Sir Bkice laughs.^ Fan. You seem to have got something good all to yourself, Bricey. Sir Brice. Yes, I have. [Laughs.'] Blan. [Aside, to Sir Winchmore.] What is Remon's discovery ? eh ? Sir Win. Haven't the least idea — something about Saturn, I fancy. • David turns to group c ; some of whom are in- troduced to him. — In a moment or so they move away, and another group takes their place and waits to be intro- duced. ' Sits on sofa. Blan. [Buzzes up to Remon.] Your last discovery no^ — about Saturn, wasn't it — hum ? eh ? ^ 66 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II \_All through David's conversation with the guests, he adopts the same light, frivolous tone throughout, and speaks without the least suggestion of serious- ness. This gives a contrast to the scenes with DULCIE.] David. lAmused, very light and chaffing tone.~\ x\boiit Saturn? Oh yes. My conjecture is that bad folks when they die are sent to Saturn to study current theology, and if at the end of five hundred years they know anything about it, their probation is complete. ^General laugh. David tmms to group. Sir Brice laughs.'] Fan. "What is it, Bricey ? SiK Bkice. Lady Skene is making a howling fuss with all of you to-night. She'll make a howling fuss of another kind next week. I can't stand that astronomer fellow.^ Blan. But do tell us, Lady Skene, what is Mr. Remon's great speciality — hum ? eh 1 DUL. I believe Mr. Remon has devoted a great deal of time to the study of sun-spots.^ Blak. Oh — ah, yes — hum. !N^ow [to David] what is the special function of sun-spots — hum ? eh ? What do they do ? David. Instill amused, chaffing, mysterious.'] I've long had a suspicion that there is a very subtle connection between sun-spots and politics — in fact, I am convinced that the present decadence of political manners and morals is entirely caused by the persistence of a certain sun- spot. As soon as we can remove it, the natural in- 67 * Fan. moves up and over 2 Back of sofa. ACT 11 THE MASQUERADERS grained honesty and patriotism of our politicians will reassert themselves. [General laugh.^^ SiE Brice. * Blanch, goes R. and joins group there. Sir Brice rises and goes c. * Joins group r. * Violin and piano off l. [^Pushes a little forward with a rather insolent manner to David.] My character is always puzzling me. Can you tell me whether its present development is due to sun-spots ? David. [Is about to reply rather angrily, is checked by a look from DuLciE, speaks very politely.^ You might not think me polite, Sir Brice. Sir Brice. [Persisting.^l I should like to have a scientific ex- amination made of my character. David. [Still controlling himself. 1 I fear I should not make a sympathetic operator.^ Sir Brice. [Still persisting.^ But DUL. [WAo has been watching very apprehensively, to Sir Brice.] My dear, Lady Franklin wants to ask you something about a horse for Ascot. She was here a moment ago. [Looking around, drawing Sir Brice away from the group, who close up round Eemoi^. DuLciE is getting Sir Brice away.'\ For God's sake keep away from us! [A guest is just passing, Dulcie turns to her with a forced society smile and manner. 1 How do you do? What a sweet frock! [Shakes hands with guest, who passes on.l Sir Brice. [Sulkily. 1 What's the matter? [Approaching her.l DuL. Don't go near any one You smell of brandy.* 68 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II \^All this under breath with great terror and apprehension.'] Sir Brice. [Getting a little, nearer her.] I rather like the smell of brandy. DUL. [Terrified, under breath.] Keep away — keep away — if you come a step nearer to me I shall shriek out before everybody. You nearly drove me out of my mind this morning. Oh, for Heaven's sake — do go — do go! Sir Bsice.^ Well, as it's infernally slow here I will go — but — you may as well know, there will be no Ascot, no Henley, no Goodv.'ood, no Homburg, no anything. We shall be sold up within a month. DUL. \_Is staggering for a moment.] Sir Brice. Ta ta ! — my blessing — I'm going to the Club. [Exit L. DuLciE stands overwhelmed for a moment, tries to pull herself together, staggers a little. David, wIlo has been watching her and Sir Brice, leaves the group and comes to her, speaks with great feeling, very softly, his tone and manner to her in great contrast to his tone and manner with the guests.] David. Lady Skene, you are in trouble — you are ill.^ DuL. [Again with the forced society smile.] No, only the fatigue of the season, and the rooms are so crowded, aren't they ? ^ [A group of guests begin little gestures and signifi- 69 *■ Crossing L. ' General exit of guests off R. Blanch., Sir W., Fan. Charley, move vp c. Thomson enters l., and goes vp c. onto balcony. * Crossing R. C, atid sitting. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS • Making as if to speak to David, goes back of so/a to R. ca7it glances and whispers, watching David and DULCIE.] [Eddie re-enters, and unnoticed holes from one group to the other^^ David. I'll tell Sir Winclimore. DUL. 'No, don't take any notice. If I can only get through this evening! \_With a sudden instinct, appealing to him with great entreaty. 1 Tell me something that will carry me through this next hour till they have all gone. Give me that sort of medicine! David. [^^Vith the utmost tenderness and feeling, in a low voice, bending over her. The glances and whispers continued.^ Your trouble isn't real. This society world of yours isn't a real world. There's one little star in Andromeda where ever^'thing is real. You've wandered down here amongst these shadows when you should have stayed at home. DuL. {Pleased, lending herself to his suggestions.'] these real men and women ? David. Aren't No. They are only masquerading. Good God, I think we are all masquerading! Look at them! If you touched them with reality they would vanish. And so with your trouble of to-night. Fly back to An- dromeda, and you will see what a dream all this is. DuL. How strange ! I was half dead a moment ago, and you've made me so well and happy. But you — do you belong to Andromeda, — or to this world ? [Eddie has been watching and comes down near to them.] 70 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II l^Stops, looks at David.] David. [LooJiS around at guests savagely. Stands for a mo- ■ Eddie leans over sofa. Dxdcie rises and goes r. TTiomson comes from c. She'directs him off R., and follows him. David. To both. But the little star in Andromeda is my home. I'm only wandering with you amongst these phantoms. [They have become for the vioment quite ahsorhed. Eddie^ who has been watching the whispers and smiles, comes up to them, speaks rather sharply.^'] Eddie. Lady Skene — that lamp-shade — \_Pointing off.'] Won't it catch fire? [^Taking David's arm, drag- ging him away.] I want to talk to you, Davy. [DuLciE turns to manservant, points to the lamp- shade, and gives him directions concerning it.] David. [Turns savagely on Eddie^ growls.] Why the devil did you come between us ? Eddie. Don't you care for her, Davy ? David. Care for her ? [DuLCiE having given manservant instructions, goes to guests.] Eddie. Do you know what these folks are saying ? That Sir Brice is ruined, and that you have lately come into a fortune.^ David. Well? Eddie. And that she continues her parties, her dresses, her house, because you - Monty and Lady Clarice enter from R., and stand talking in dooncay. Dulcie re- enters and joins them. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS ment or two reflecting, his face then assumes a look of great resolve.^ Eddie. [Watching him.'] I was right to tell you, Davy? David. [Shakes Eddie's hand in reply. Another little pause.] Go and tell her, Eddie, that I must see her for a few minutes by and by — to-night — when every- body is gone. Eddie. What are you going to do, Davy? David. We'll get away south to-morrow, old boy. The observatory's nearly finished, and — there's no tittle- tattle between the snows and the stars. Go and tell her I must see her, and bring me back her answer.^ Eddie. [To DuLciE.] You've not been down to supper, Lady Skene. DUL. I really don't want any. Eddie. But I've a message for you. DuL. A message? Eddie. From Andromeda. [Exeunt Dulcie and Eddie.] * Lady Clar. You are really too dreadful.^ Blan. [Buzzing round Remon.] That's a charming theory of yours about the effect of sun-spots on morality. 72 * Eddie goes to Dulcie who is talking to guests up R. David moves itp to Blanch, and Charlie, irho rise from so/a and come down c. * Violin and and piano cease. Warn band. * Goes into bal- cony c, and talks to Sir W. Mon. goes dotvn back of sofa. THE MASQUERADERS ACT II David, Yes. It isn't true, but it's very consoling. That's why I invented it.^ MoN. If it's charming and consoling, why should it be true? David. Why should it ? and put everything else out of focus. Blan. Out of focus! Ah! I'm afraid you're a dreadful, dreadful pessimist. David. 'No ; but I'm as willing to play that part as any other, since it's only in jest.* Char. In jest ? What do you mean ? David. I have to spend so much time alone amongst the stars, that when I come back into the world I am quite at a loss. I find myself amongst crowds of shadows — very charming shadows they are — playing at money- making, playing at religion, playing at love, at art, at politics, at all sorts of odd games, and so for the time, I join in the game, and pretend to take an in- terest in it ; and a very pleasant game it is, so long as we don't mistake it for reality. Char. But surely we are realities ! David. With the profoundest respect in the world. Lady Shalford, I cannot bring myself to believe that you are. Still, I won't spoil your game by staying out.^ Blan. [^With a little affected, mincing earnestness.l Oh, but surely, surely there is Something real Somewhere. 73 * Lady Cran. and Carter enter r. and go into bal- cony c. They are followed by a lady and gentleman. Two others come on and cross to sofa up L. ♦ Orchestral selection on stage. » Sits L. of her. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS Oh, yes — surely, surely — we must believe that there is — hum ? eh ? — a Kind of — eh ? — a Sort of a Some- thing — Somewhere, eh ? David. If you like to believe there is a kind of a sort of a something — somewhere — and you find it consoling, I'm as willing to pretend to believe that as anything else. Blan. [Still luith the same affected earnestness.'] Oh, but surely, when you look into your own heart — hum? eh?i David. * Moves L. c. 'Rises and moves L. Monty takes place vacated by David. Sir W. bids good night to lady and gentle- men up L. and exit b. * Eddie enters R., and goes over to David. Lady Clarice and Carter come down from balcony and goR. I always wear a mask over my heart. I never dare look into it.^ MON. I find this world a remarkably comfortable and well- arranged place. I always do exactly as I like. If I want anything I buy it, whether I pay for it or no. If I see a woman I admire I make love to her, whether she belongs to another man or no. If a lie will answer my purpose, I tell it. I can't remember I ever denied myself one single pleasure in life ; nor have I ever put myself out to oblige a fellow-creature. I am consistently selfish and I find it pays ; I credit everybody else with the same consistent selfishness, and I am never deceived in my estimate of character. These are my principles, and I always act up to them. And I assure you I find this world the pleasantest possible place. David. A fairy palace ! An enchanted spot ! Only take care ! While you are dancing, there may be a volcano underneath. MoN. If there is, surely dancing is the pleasantest prepara- tion for the general burst-up.^ 74 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II Eddie. Davy- David. IGoes to Tiim.'l Well? Eddie. She'll see you to-night. Come back here when they've all gone. Blaist. [To Monty.] How charmingly frank you are, Monty. MoN. Why not ? ^ We have one supreme merit in this generation — we have ceased to render to virtue the homage of hypocrisy. David. And our moral evolution is now complete. Good- night ! l_Exeunt David and Eddie.^ *] MoN. Incoming down with Lady Clarice.] Of course I know there is something wretchedly philistine and provincial about marriage, but I will take care this aspect of it is r^ever presented to you. Lady Clar. I wonder what makes marriage so unlovely and so uninteresting ? MoN. The exaggerated notion that prevails of its duties and responsibilities. Once do away with that, and it be- comes an ideal state. Lady Clarice, you'd find me the most agreeable partner in the world. Lady Clar. You'd be like most other husbands, I suppose. 75 Rising. * Music ceases. ' Fa7i. and Char, go up stage to bal- cony. Lady and gentle- man rise from sofa up L. and exit R. Lady and gentleman on balcony bid good night to Fan. and Char, and exit L. Lady Clar. sits on sofa R. Monty sits L. of her. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS MON. 'No; I should be unique. Husbands, as a rule, are foolish, jealous brutes, who insist that men shall have all the rights and women all the duties, — men shall have all the sweets and women all the sours of the marriage state. We would start on an entirely new plan. The sours we would naturally equally avoid, and the sweets, — if there are any, — we would naturally do our best to secure. Lady Clar. Separately, or together? MoN. According to our tastes. If you do me the honour to accept me, I pledge you my word I will never have the offensively bad taste to speak of a husband's rights. There shall be no " lord and master " nonsense. Lady Clar. It sounds very well in theory. I wonder how it would work. MoN. Let us try. If we succeed we shall solve the vexed question of the age, and make ourselves happy in showing mankind the road to happiness. Lady Clar. But if we fail? MoN. We shall have sacrificed ourselves for the benefit of our species. But we can't fail, the plan is perfect. Lady Clar. If I spoke of rights and duties — if I were jeal- ous MoN. Ah! then you would be departing from the plan. Its charm is that it is a patent, self-adjusting, self- 76 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II • Call. Helen. Baby. repairing, safety-valve plan, v^^ith double escapement action suited to all climates and dispositions.* 'No rights, no duties, no self-assertion, no quarrels, no jealousy. Lady Clar. And no love ? MON. Love is a perverted animal instinct, which is really a great bar to solid happiness in marriage. Believe me, you will like me and respect me in the end for not pretending to any such outworn impulses. You see I am frank. Lady Clak. You are indeed. [LooJcing at him very closely, watching him.l You know — [Pause.'] — my father cannot make any great settlements, and — {^Watching him closely.] I have no expectations. MoN. [Stands it without flinching.] So I am aware. I'm frightfully in debt, and I have no expectations. But there is a house in Grosvenor Place — it would suit us exactly. Lady Clak. [Watching him.] But — without money? MoN. I cannot afford to be economical. I have acted on that principle throughout life, and I have always had the very best of everything. I do not see we need change it. Lady Clak. You are perfectly atrocious — I don't care for you in the least.^ MoN. My plan is precisely [With great politeness.] adapted to such cases. ' Carter and Lady Cran. enter from r. Cross stage to down L. 77 ACT II THE MASQUERADERS * Charlie and Fan. rise and enter from balcony. Fan. bids Charlie good night and and exit a. Lady Ckan. Come, Clarice — everybody is going. MoN. I shall call on Lord Crandover to-morrow. You don't speak. Does silence give consent ? Lady Clar. I can't help your calling. \^Exit. Monty stands in slight deliberation. Chaeley comes out frow, the conservatory behind him. She has been watching the last part of the scene from the conservatory.^ Chae. Well? MON. Landed, I think. You're sure about Sir Joseph and the estate ? Chae. Quite. But it's not to be known yet. I'm a pet, ain't I ? MON. You are. \_Eisses her hand-l Chae. I must be going. That creature at home will be •raising furies. MoN. When do you pack him to Aix? Chae. Thursday, praise the Lord! MoN. When shall I call ? Chae. Friday ? 78 THE MASOUERADERS ACT II What time? Come to lunch ? Yes. MON. Chab. MoN. Char. Friday at two. \_Exchange looks full of meaning.~\ Bye-bye. MoN. Bye-bye.^ Char. Oh dear, am I the last ? Good-bye, dear [Kisses DuLciE.] Monty, come and see me to my carriage.^ MoN. Good-bye, Lady Skene. DUL. Good-bye. [Exit Monty with Charley.^] DuL. [To Servant.'] Thomson, I expect Mr. Remon. Show him in here.^ Sebv. Yes, my lady.^ [Exit. Helen appears at r. door still in nurse's costume.^] Helen. [Peeps in.] They have all gone, dear. DuL. I've got such a fever, ISTell. Put your nice cold hand on my forehead. That's right. Hold it tight — tight. Why didn't you dress and come into my party ? Helen. I was so tried and bored at the last, and I wanted to be with Rosy.'^ 79 • Dulcie enters B. Charley hurriedly drops Mon- ty''8 hand and goes up to Didcie. ' Goes down l. Monty joins Dulcie. ' Thomson has followed Dul- cie on and is releasing curtains at door R. ♦. Lime offn. is turned out. • Crosses and exit L. • Joins Didcie who is seated on sofa R. ' Leaning over sofa. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS DUL. She's all right? » Sits R, of Buh cie. Helen. Yes. She was awake a moment ago. DuL. ISuddenly.'] Fetch her! I must see her! Oh, you're right, Nell; it's been a hateful evening, with only one bright spot in it — when he came and whispered something so sweet. Helen. [Suddenly,'] Dulcie, you're sure of yourself? DuL. I'm sure of him. Helen. He has never spoken — of — of DuL. Of love ? l^ever. What does that matter ? I know he loves me. Helen. Dulcie, you shouldn't say that — even to yourself.^ DuL. Oh, that's all nonsense, Nell ; as if there was ever a woman in this world that didn't know when she was loved ! Helen. Dulcie ! DuL. [ProvoJcingly.'] He loves me! He loves me! He loves me, and I'm not ashamed of it, and I don't care who knows it. [Throwing her arms round Helen's neck.'] Nell, I'm so happy. Helen. Why? 80 THE MASOUERADERS ACT II DUL. He's coming, he's coming. Brice sajs we are utterly ruined. We're ruined, but I won't feel it to-night. I'll feel it to-morrow. I'll be happy for one minute to-night. He is coming. Helen. Mr. Kemon? DuL. Yes. Don't look shocked, Nell. Listen ; this is true. Mr. Remon and I have never said one word to each other that all the world might not have heard. [Pause.} I'm glad all the world hasn't heard it though. [Thomson comes in, announces Me. Remon.] DuL. [To Helen.] Go and fetch Rosy. Yes! Yes! [Exit Helen. David has entered; Servant has gone [To David.] I'm so glad you've come. I want you to see Rosy. She's awake. You've never seen her. [All this very excited.} David. I shall be very pleased. [Looking ai her.} DuL. You're thinking about me. David. I was thinking that a mother is the most beautiful thing on earth. DuL. Oh, you don't know! You can't imagine! She's over two years old, and I haven't got over remember- ing that she's mine. Every time I think of her I feel a little catch here in the very middle of my heart, a delicious little stab, as if some angel came behind 6 8i 1 After Thom- son has gone, chandelier off L,. is turn- ed out and ivith it the lime light. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS There! You may [Hugging the hahy. me and whispered to me, " God has made you a present of ten hundred thousand million pounds all your own." Oh, she makes up to me for everything. [David is approaching her with great tenderness lohen Helen enters with Rosy, the two-year-old hahy, in her arms in nightclothes.~\ DUL. [Rushes to Helen.] There! look at her! Helen. Hush ! She's asleep ! DuL. I must kiss her if it "kills her ! kisses her, lifts the nightgown, hisses the baby's feet, croons over it — points her finger mockingly at Remon in childlike mockery and laughter. ~\ There! There! There, Mr. Philosopher from Andromeda! You can't say a mother's love isn't real ! David. I never did. It's the one thing that shows what a sham the rest of the world is. That little star in Andromeda is crowded with mothers. They've all been there once in their lives. [Bends over the baby for a moment.'] DuL. [Exited, feverish.] Nell, Mr. Remon has an odd notion that this world isn't real. Helen. The cure for that is to earn half-a-crown a day and live on it. David. Oh yes, I know. Work is real. [Bends over the baby.] DuL. [To David.] What are you looking at ? [Scrutinises 82 THE MASQUERADERS ACT U Yes — yes. I never use the word " honour " about my conduct, because every scamp has used it until it's the most counterfeit word in the language. But I've 83 ' Sits on sofa him carefully; then suddenly, with savage earnest- ness, half despair, half entreaty.^ She's like me? She's like me!! \_crescendo, tigerish, frenzied.^ Say she's like me!!! David. [Very quietly.'] She is like you. {^Kisses the child reverently.'] She is wholly like you! DUL. [Stands absorhed, very quietly.] Take her back again to the nursery, JSTell.^ Helen. Good-night, Mr. Remon. David. Good-night. \_Goes towards the door with her.] Helen. [To David, smiling.] I've just remembered some- thing else that is real. David. What's that? Helen. Duty. [Exit with hahy. A summer sunrise shines pinlc through the conservatory, and lights up the room with summer morning light. David returns to DuLciE, who sits absorbed.^] David.^ Lady Skene, I asked to see you because — it is neces- sary for me to leave England very soon. DUL. 1^0 — no ! David. * Limes on bal- cony slowly charge from, blue to yellow. • Coming dovm to back of sofa. ACT II THE MASQUERADERS just learned that if I stay in England I shall injure very deeply a friend of mine, so naturally I'm going away. DUL. But — tell me — [Pause.l — what David. If I stay I cannot continue an honest man. Will you let it rest there ? DuL. If you wish David. * Sits R. of her. Call Sir Brice. [After a little pause,^ with some emharrassment.'] 1 have just heard — I scarcely know how to mention it — that you may be placed in a position of some difficulty. DUL. You mean that Sir Brice is ruined. In one way it's a relief, because at any rate it will break up this life, and I'm so tired of it. David. Yet you thought you would like it on that night of the Hunt Ball. DuL. Yes. I longed for it. Is life like that all through? David. Like what ? DuL. To long for a thing very much and to find it worth- ,less, and then to long for something else much more — to be sure that this is worth having — to get it, and then to find that that is worthless too. And so on, and so on, and so on ? David. I'm afraid life is very much like that on this par- ticular planet. 84 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II DUL. Oh, but that would be awful if I found out that- [Stops.^ David. DuL. You remember that night of the Hunt What? l^othing. Ball? David. [Nods.l It was the last time I saw my friend George Copeland. He died in Alaska six mouths after. DuL. And you went away for over a year. David. 'No — only for a few weeks. After Copeland's funeral I went to the Mediterranean to choose a site for my observatory, and I was back in England within less than three months. DuL. But we never saw you till last season. Where were you ? David. When you were in the country, I was there; when you were in town I was in town too. I have never been far away from you. I have kept an account of every time I have seen you for the last three years. DuL. [Loolcs at him as if suddenly struck with a thought.^ Tell me — where were you two years ago last March ? David. At Gerard's Heath — near you. DuL. [Suddenly.'] Did you — the night Rosy was — I mean the night of the second — it was a dreadful snow- storm 85 ACT II THE MASQUERADERS * Rises, goes to door R. • Goes down R. of sofa. » Sits on sofa. I remember. David. DUL. One of my nurses said slie saw some one in tlie garden. ILoohs at him.^ David. It was I. Your life was in danger. I passed those two nights outside your window. [DuLciE, ivith great affection, involuntarily puts her hand on his arm. He raises her hand and is about to Jciss it. Helen re-enters. David rises.^ Helen. Sir Brice has just come back and is in the smoking- room downstairs. DuL. [Turning. 1 Look! It's morning.^ David. Good-bye. DuL. ISuddenly-l No — I must have another word with you. Wait here a moment. Here is Sir Brice. ISTell, take Mr. Kemon on to the balcony for a minute or two and wait there with him till Sir Brice has gone upstairs. [Exeunt David and Helen through conservatory and on to balcony.^ [SiE Brice enters, looTcing a little flushed and dissi- pated.^l Sir Brice. [Staring at Dulcie ; after a pause. 1 Well ? Dtjl. Well? Sir Brice. [Drops into a chair; whistles.'] Got rid of your friends ? ^ 86 THE MASQUERADERS ACT II * Rises and goes round sofa l. DUL. All except Mr. Eemon. He's on the balcony with Nell. Sir Beige. Oh! \^Pause. Whistles; takes some change out of his pocket — three shillings and threepence; places the coins very carefully and elaborately in a longi- tudinal position on the palm of his left hand, arrang- ing the three shillings and the three pennies in a line, ivhistling carelessly.'] That's our net fortune, my girl. [Holding them up under her face.] That is our precise capital — three shillings and threepence. [Whistles.] I^ot another farthing. And some thou- sand pounds' worth of debts. •*■ DuL. [Unconcerned.] Indeed. Sir Brice. [With a sudden little hurst of brutality — not too marked.] Look here! can't you get some money ? DuL. What do you mean? Sir Brice. Get some money ! That's plain English, isn't it ? DuL. I don't understand you. Sir Brice. This fellow Remon is devilish fond of you. Can't you get some money from him ? DuL. Hush ! Borrow money from him ! Sir Brice. [Suggestively.] You needn't borrow. [Dulcie looks at him inquiringly.] iTsTow can't you get some? [Dulcie looks at him for a moment; she raises her 87 ACT II THE MASQUERADERS fan to strike him; sees David, who has entered from conservatory. Helen stands at conservatory door.^ David. * Comes c. ' Helen comes doion R. c. Crosses l. Lady Skene, ^ I have been obliged to overhear what has just been said. To-morrow morning I leave for the South of France, and I shall be quite inaccessible for some years. My bankers will have orders to send you a cheque-book and to honour your signature to any extent that you are likely to require. [Dulcie makes a protest. 1 If you please — if you please. As I shall be away from England there cannot be the least slur upon you in accepting it. Miss Larondie, you will be with your sister, always.^ She will be in your care — always. [Shakes hands with Helen.] Be very kind to her. Never leave her. Good-bye.^ DUL. But I — cannot — take David. [Silencing her.l If you please — It is my last request. Good-bye. [Sib Bkice, who has heen sitting all the while, listening, rises.l David. [Looks at him for just half a moment; looks at Dulcie.] Good-bye. [Exit, l.] [Nine months 2^ciss between Acts II. and III.'\ 88 2 t/3 C W CO i ACT III. Scene. — Private sitting-room at the Hotel Prince De Galles, Nice. A rather handsome modern room furnished in French hotel fashion, Tivo long windows, right, curtained. Door at bach. Door left. Small card table down stage, left, with several packs of cards loosely on it. The whole floor round the table strewn with cards. Discover Sir Brice in evening dress seated left of table, aimlessly and mechani- cally playing with the cards. After a few seconds DuLCiE, in dinner dress, enters from door at bach, crosses to the ivindoiu and stands loohing out, hav- ing taken no notice of Sir Brice. As she enters he leaves off playing with the cards for a moment, looks at her. Sir Brice. [In rather a commanding tone, a little brutal.^ Come here.* [DuLCiE takes no notice. A little pause.^ Sir Brice. [Louder. ~\ D'ye hear ? Come here. [DuLciE comes down to him, does not speak. He looks up at her. Her face is quite blank, loohing indifferently in front of her.'] Sir Brice. [Begitis playing ivith cards again.'] I've lost over BIX hundred pounds. [Dulcie takes no notice.] 89 Call. Ihdcie, Sir Brice, Servant (salver and letter). * Music to take up curtain. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS Sir Brice. [Dashes the pacJc of cards under his feet, stamps on themS\ Damn and damn the cards ! [DuLciE talces no notice. Slight pause.'] Sir Brice. [Roars out.] The hotel people have sent up their bill again with a request for payment. [Slight pause. Dulcie goes hacTc to the window, stands there looking out. Pause.] Sir Brice. [Roars out furiously.] Why the devil don't you get something for that deafness of yours ! [Suddenly jumps up, goes up to her, seizes her hands, turns her round.] 'Now look here Hotel Servant enters, left, with letter on tray. Sir Brice desists. The Hotel Servant brings the letter to DuLciE, who crosses and talces it. Exit Servant. Dulcie opens letter, reads it.^ Sir Brice. Well? [Djji.cm rings hell] Well? [Servant enters l.] DUL. [In cold equable tone, to Sir Brice.] Mr. Edward Remon wishes to see me. He asks me to excuse his being in fancy dress. He's going to the Opera Ball. Shall I see him here or in the hall? * Crosses to fireplace. Here. Sir Brice. DuL. [To Servant. "i Show Mr. Remon here. [Exit Servant, l.] 90 THE MASOUERADERS ACT II T Sir Brice. [To DuLCiE.] Where's his brother, the astronomer? DUL. At his observatory, I suppose. I've not seen him since the night we began to live upon him.^ [Hotel Servant opens door l,., announces Mr. Ed- ward Remon. Eddie enters^ dressed as Pierrot for the fancy dress ball. Exit Servant.^'] Eddie. [All through the Act very excited.'] How d'ye do? [To Dulcie; shakes hands with her. To Sir Brice.] How d'ye do? Sir Brice. How d'ye do ? ^ [Looks meaningly at Dulcie and exit left.] Eddie. So good of you to excuse this dress.* * DuL. Your brother? Eddie. He's down in the town with me to-night. We've been dining at the Cafe de Paris. I've taken three glasses of champagne — anything more than a spoonful makes me tipsy, and so, with that and this dress, and our journey to Africa, I'm quite mad to-night. DuL. Africa ! Eddie. We start earlv to-morrow morning to the deadliest place on the West Coast. DuL. 'Not your brother ? 91 * Cross R. c. ' Sir Brice moves up to fire. * Crossing back of table to doivn L. * Sits sofa R. » Call Mon- tagu. ACT ni THE MASQUERADERS Eddie. Yes. We're going to watch the transit of Venus, and as there was a jolly lot of fever there all the other astronomers rather funked it. So Davy has fitted out an expedition himself. [Dulcie slioivs great concern. Eddie rattles on.~\ I'm going to have a spree to-night. I've never been drunk in my life, and I thought I should like to try what it's like — because — [tossing up a coin'] it's heads we come back alive and prove Davy's theory about sun-spots — and it's tails we leave our bones and all our apparatus out there. It's tails — we're as dead as door-nails. l^Sees Dulcie's pained face.'] Lady Skene — I'm so sorry DUL. We've been three weeks in Nice, brother come to see me ? Why hasn't your * Edjie kneels beside her and puts cap on R. c. chair. * Picks up cap. • Runs over to h. c, theji round table to back of sofa E. Eddie. A mistaken sense of duty.^ Davy has the oddest notions about duty. He thinks one ought to do it when it's unpleasant. So do I when I'm in my right clothes, and my right senses, but now I'm half tipsy, and have got a fool's cap on, ^ I can see quite plainly that duty's all moonshine. Duty is doing exactly what one likes, and it's Davy's duty to come to you. And the fool is just breaking his heart for a sight of you.^ Shall I find him and bring him ? Where is he? DuL. Eddie. He's in the town getting everything ready for to- morrow. Shall I find him ? DuL. [LooTcing at her umtcli.] be alone in half an hour. Quarter to eleven. I may Yes, bring him to me here. c\2 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III • Runs across and opens door L. ' Moves R. * Call. Lady Clarice- Charley. Eddie. Hurrah! — Au revoir.^ [Sir Brice appears at the same door, loohs after Eddie, who exits, saying " Adieu." Sir Brice shuts door, enters.~\ Sir Brice. [ToDuLCiE.] Well? [DuLCiE does not reply, goes to her room at hack. Sir Brice follows her, the door is closed in his face and a lock is heard to turn. Sir Brice shakes the door handle, kicks the door, looks vicious and spiteful, comes down a step or two, kicks a hassock.^^ {^Servant enters, j.., announcing Mr. Lushington. Enter Monty. Sir Brice nods.~\ MoN. Well, dear chum! {^Looking round at the cards on the floor.'] Did you give Fancourt his revenge? Sir Brice. Damn the cards. MoN. By all means. How's Lady Skene ? Sir Brice. \Mutters.'] — mn Lady Skene. MoN. By all means. Sir Brice. You're married, Lushington ' MoN. I am three months a bridegroom. Sir Brice. Why the devil did you get married ? 93 • Moves to hhn. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS MON. Because I ascertained that my wife would have seven thousand a year. Why did you? Sir Bkice. Because I was a silly fool. MoN. Well, there couldn't be two better reasons for getting married. Sir Brice. [Furious with his cards.^ — mn everything and everybody. -"^ MoN. » Sits. *Sits L. of table. By all means. And now we've reached finality and are utterly the sport of destiny, will you do me a good turn ? ^ Sir Brice. What ? MoN. I'm going to take a lady to the Opera Ball, and I fear Lady Clarice will be dull, or I should say restless, in my absence. I know you will be going to the Cercle d'Amerique to wreck your farthing chance of eternity at poker. Sir Brice. Well? MoN. It would momentarily reinstate your celestial hopes if you would tell Lady Skene that I'm going to the club with you, and persuade her to spend the lonely hours of her widowhood with Lady Clarice in number one-four-three. They will doubtless tear our charac- ters to rags, but that will keep them from the worse mischief of interfering with us. Sir Brice. Will you do me a good turn ? 94 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III Rising and crossing R. MON. Anything in my power. Sir Brice. Lend me a couple of hundred pounds. MoN. My dear Bricey. If my I. O. U., or my name, or my presence, is good for anything at the Cercle d'Amerique, you're welcome to it. Sir Brice, Will you come with me and set me afloat for a quarter of an hour? MoN. Certainly.^ Sir Brice. I'll ask Lady Skene. [Goes up to the door at hack, raps.'] Are you there ? [A little louder.] Are you there ? MoN. Throw in a " my dear," Bricey, or some such trifle. Its effect will be in proportion to its scarcity. Sir Brice. My dear [Rapping still.] Mr. Lushington has called. [Rapping.] Do you hear, my love? [With a grim sneer on the last word. The door is a little opened.] [Sir Brice forces his way in.] Lady Clarice wants to know if you will go and sit with her while [The remainder of sentence is lost hy the closing of door after him.] [Lady Clarice enters door, left,^ with opera cloak.] MoN. [Showing surprise, which he instantly checks.] Where so gay and free, my love ? 95 * Leaves door open. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS Clar. [^Looking him straight in the face very determinedly. ~\ To the Opera Ball. MoN. Oh. Clar. You're going to take that woman. MoN. I know many ladies, but no women. Char. [^Her voice heard outside.'] Yes. See if Mr. Lushington is there, and say a lady is waiting for him in the hall — oh, he's in there ; I'll go in. [Monty is going. Lady Clarice makes a little movement to intercept him.] MoN. [In a low voice.] Don't be foolish. Char. [Her voice at door, outside.] Aren't you nearly ready, Monty? [Appears at door, sees Lady Clarice takes in the situation at a glance, has a slight shock, hut instantly recovers herself. Runs to Lady Clarice brimming with affection.] Darling, are you going too ? So pleased ! So charmed ! How sweet of you! [Offers to kiss Lady Clarice.] Clar. * Crosses n. [Indignantly.] How dare you !^ MoN. [Stepping heiween them.] Hush! [To Clarice.] What's the use of having a row here, or anywhere? For H*eaven's sake, do be a good sensible girl, and don't shatter the happiness of our married life before — before we know where we are. Charley and I are going to the Opera Ball, will you come with us ? 96 THE MASQUERADERS ACT in Clab. llndignan t. ] What I MoN. Or go by yourself. Or go with any one you please. Or go anywhere or do anything in the world you like. Only don't make a scene here. My father shall know. Clae. MON. Very well. Very well. We'll discuss that by and by. But do recognise once and for all the futility of rows. You'd better come with us. [^Enter Sir Brice c] Come with you ? ^ Clar. Char. {^Begins.'] My dear Clarice, I assure you MoN. \_8tops Charley with a warning looh.'\ "For Heaven's sake, Clarice, whatever we do, do not let us make ourselves ridiculous. [Monty snatches up Lady Clarice's arm. She reluctantly allows him to do so.*'\ All right, Bricey. Sorry I can't come with you to the club — but I've persuaded Lady Clarice and Lady Shalford to come to the Opera Ball with me. Bye, bye, dear crony, our love to Lady Skene. Hope you will have as pleasant an evening as we shall — Ta ! Ta ! [Exit ^ with great animation. Lady Clarice holding reluctantly and aloof on one arm, Charley more affectionate on the other. Sir Brice goes to Dulcie's door, throws it wide open, stands bach, calls.^ 7 97 ' Sir Brice goea down B. ♦ Call. Helen. * Exit door l. Sir Brice fol- lows them — Shuts door and goes up c. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS * Dulcie goes down R. and sits on sofa. • Sits B. of tcii)le. * Crosses R. sits on sofa. Sib Brice. Now, will you. let us understand each other once for all? [Dulcie enters, looks at him without speahing.^^ Sib Bbice. I want some money. This fellow Remon has offered you his purse to any extent. Get a few hundreds for me to go on with. DUL. No. SiE Bbice. You won't? Then why did you hegin to take his money ? ^ DuL. Because I was weak, because you bullied me, and because I knew I was welcome.^ SiB Bbice. Very good. The same reasons continue. You're weak, I'm a bully, and you're welcome. Aren't you welcome, eh ? Aren't you welcome ? DUL. I believe I am welcome to every penny he has in the world. SiE Bbice. He loves you? Dtjl. Yes. Sib Bbice. And you love him ? DuL. [Loolnng straight at Sib Bbice very fearlessly and calmly.^ With all my heart. Sir Brice. And you aren't ashamed to tell me ? 98 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III * Call Blanch- flower. DUL. Is there anything in your past life that you have taken the trouble to hide from me ? * Have you ever ojjenly or secretly had an attachment to any living creature that does you as much credit and so little shame as my love for David Remon does to me ? Sir Brice. All right. Go on loving him. You needn't hesitate. He expects a fair exchange — if he hasn't already got it. DUL. [Very calmly.'] That's a lie, and you know it is. Sir Brice. Very "well. It's a lie. I don't care one way or the other. Get me some money. DuL. You have had the last farthing that you will ever touch of David Remon's money. Sir Brice. All right. {^Jumps up very determinedly .^^ Then you've seen the last you will see of your child for some years to come.^ DuL. \^Aroused.'\ child! 2 What! you will hit me through my Sir Brice. I think my child's health requires a change for a few years — a different climate from you and myself.^ We will go upon a little tour by ourselves, shall we ? to — where the devil shall we go ? I don't care. I shall send Eosy away to-morrow morning. D'ye hear.^ DuL. I hear. 99 ' Moves L. * Rises. ' Returns to her. * Crosses to door L. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS * Ooes down R. of table and sits. • Moves down R. of her. Sir Brice. If I don't see you again to-night, get her ready by to-morrow morning. lExit l.] DUL. [Stands for a moment or two quiet, then hursts into a fit of ironic laughter.^ Nell! [Goes to the door at bach, calls out.^ Kell ! Nell ! Come here ! ^ [Helen enters c] Helen. What's the matter ? 2 DuL. Nell, old girl, have you got such a thing as a Church Service about you ? Helen. Church Service? DuL. I want you to tell me the end and meaning of marriage. There's something about it in the Church Service, isn't there? I did go through it once, I know, but I've forgotten what it's all about. What does it mean? Helen. ' Sitting on sofa. Marriage ? Yes. Oh, I know ! Games ? •'• DuL. It's one of Mr. Remon's games. Helen. DuL. Yes. He says men and women are playing a lot of queer games on earth that they call religion, love, politics, and this and that and the other — marriage must be one, and it's the funniest of them all! It's a two-handed game like — like cribbage, or tossing up. You choose your partner — head's he's a good 'un, then you're in clover; tails he's a bad 'un, then, it's purgatory and inferno for you for the rest of your 100 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III life, unless you're a man. It's all right if you're a man. The same game as before, choose your partner — heads she's a good 'un, then you're in clover ; tails she's a bad 'un, then you cut her, and toss up again and again, until you do get a good 'un. That's the game — that's the game — and it's a splendid game for a man. [Blanchflowee, in evening dress, pops in l.] Elan. How d'ye do, Lady Skene ? Am I in the way, eh ? DUL. Enter! Enter! Enter! You're just in time. Help us solve this mighty question. Blan. Something important, eh ? ^ DuL. ISTo, only marriage. What about it ? DuL. Well — what about it? Give us your opinion. There's something mystical about it, isn't there? ISTell, where's that Church Service? Something mystical ? Blan. Well, yes; and — hum? eh? [happy thoughf] — some- thing ideal DuL. Mystical and ideal. Go on, !N"ell. Helen. I'd rather not. I don't like to hear you mocking at marriage. DuL. [Laughlng.'l Mocking at marriage! Oh, my God! is it women who have married bad men that mock at lOI Blan. 1 Sits L. of table. * Call. David, Eddie, Ser- vant, ACT III THE MASQUERADERS marriage Make haste, make haste ! \_Dasliing her hands on the chair. '\ Marriage is a mystical, ideal state — isn't there something in the Service about physical ? Go on, Nell, go on — help us out. Go on ! What have we left out? The wife's duty. Helen. DUL. Yat. Yah. Yah. [This is very quiet and calm, with a pause between each Yah, very different from the excited Yah! Yah! Yah! Yah! of the second Act.l Helen. To her husband to keep her vows. To herself to keep herself pure and stainless, because it is her glory, as it is a man's glory to be brave and honest. DuL. [Same position, same tone-l Yah. Yah. Yah. Helen. And to society, to her nation, because no nation has ever survived whose women have been immoral. Dul. [Suddenly springing up, sitting up upright in the chair.'} And the men ? Helen. I don't know whether it's a man's duty to be moral. I'm sure it's a woman's. Dul. Oh, then marriage is a moral state, eh — at least for women, eh, Mr. Blanchflower ? Blan. [Who has shoivn symptoms of great discomfort through the interview.'] Ye — es — decidedly mar- riage is — or — a — should be a moral state. 1 02 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III DUL. [Jumping up vigorously. ~\ Ah, now we've got it! Now we can go ahead! Marriage is a physical, mystical, ideal, moral game. Oh, I hate these words, moral, ideah^ How if it isn't ideal? Suppose it's horribly, horribly real ! How if it isn't moral ? Suppose it's horribly, horribly immoral! Moral! Moral ! ! Moral ! ! ! Is there anything under God's sun so immoral, ah — ^guess it — guess it — to be married to a man one hates! And you go on plastering it and poulticing it and sugaring it over with " moral " and " ideal " and respectable," and all those words that men use to cheat themselves with. It isn't moral to be married to a man one hates! It isn't ideal ! It isn't mystical ! It's hateful ! It's martyr- dom ! \_A long pause.^l Blan. [Calm, with a real touch of feeling.'] My dear Lady Skene, I won't pretend to offer you advice DuL. [Has recovered from her outburst, now spealcs in a very calm, indifferent, matter-of-fact tone.] It doesn't matter. You're going to the ball ? ^ Blan. I was going — but if I can help you in any way [Struck with the idea.] My uncle, Canon Butter- field, is here for the winter. He suffers from liver, and has written a book on Socinianism. If you want any spiritual advice, I'm sure you couldn't do better. DuL. What is Socinianism ? Is it anything to do with marriage ? Blan. Well — ah — no. Shall I send him? 103 s ' Moves up to chair, front of fire. * Helen rises and goes to window. • Returns to c. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS DUL. No, I won't trouble you. I'll think this out for myself. Blan. Well, if you ever do need a clergyman, don't forget my uncle. You can't do better. Or if at any time I can be of any use DuL. Thank you. Good-night. Blaij. IShalcing hands very sympathetically. '\ Good-bye. lExit. L.] DuL. ISuddenly-l Nell! [Helen comes to her.'] Take Bosy up at once, dress her, get out of the hotel by the servants' way so that you don't meet Sir Briee — ^take her over to Beaulieu to the Hotel des Anglais, and wait there till to-morrow morning. I'll send you a message what to do. Servant enters, announces Mb. Remon — Mr. Edward Bemon. Enter David and Eddie, still t?i Pierrot's dress. Helen shows some surprise. [Exit Servant.] DuL. Quick, Nell, do as I tell you. Helen. [Looking at David and Eddie.] Promise me DuL. What? Helen. You'll take no step till you've seen me. DuL. I promise. Make haste. Come here and tell me when Bosy's ready. 104 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III Helen. IComes to David, shakes hands with him.^ You heard her promise. David. She shall keep it. [Exit Helen at hach.'] Eddie. I've brought him, Lady Skene. I'm off to the ball. I'm not so tipsy now as I was, but I'm going to have my fling. It's my only chance of going to the devil. Davy, where shall I meet you ? ^ David. I'll come to the Opera House for you. Wait for me there. Eddie. Come as soon as you can, won't you ? You come too, Lady Skene. You can't think how jolly it is to have no duty and no conscience and no faith and no future, no anything but pleasure and life ! Do come ! Let's all be fools for once in our lives ! Let's be monkeys again ! Come on ! Come on ! \_Exit, L. As soon as he has gone, David and Dul- ciE, who have been standing on opposite sides of the room, go to each other very calmly. They meet in the middle of the room, tahe each other's hands. He raises hers to his lips. David's appearance has changed since the last Act; he is more worn and spiritual, a little greyer, very calm at first, an unearthly look in his face. They stand looking at each other for some moments.'] DUL. You're changed ! You're not well ! David. So well, I feel no ill can ever happen to Quite well, me. » Goes to door L. 105 ACT III THE MASQUERADERS DUL. Why did you not come to me before ? David. I'd been able to do you a service. I didn't wish you to think that I had any claim on you. DUL. Ah, you shouldn't misunderstand me. I could never misunderstand you like that. I've taken your money. I knew I was welcome, because — if I were rich and you were poor, I would give you all I had. David. Ah ! Take all I have ! DuL. • Moves R. to sofa. David follows her. Dulcie sits. Not another farthing. Why not? David. DuL. I would be proud to owe all my happiness, all my comfort to you. I have been proud these last six months to think that my child's very bread came from you. David. Ah! {^Coming nearer to 'her.~\ DuL. I would only have taken just sufficient for necessaries — but he forced me. I was weak. Now the end has come. I won't waste any more of your money in this {^pointing to the cards] and racing, and — I don't know what.^ David. Tell it all. DuL. Things can't go on as they are. [Smiling.'] Do you remember the Scotchman who lost his mother-in-law io6 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III and his aunt and three cousins, all in one epidemic ? He said it was " just reedeeclous." Things are " just reedeeclous " with me. [^Laughing.^ Sir Brice has threatened to take Kosy away from me. Ko!i David. DUL. Yes! I'm sending Nell to Beaulieu with her to- night. I don't know what will happen. I don't think I care much. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters. [Smiling. Then with sudden alarm.^ Yes — this journey of yours to Africa. Must you go ? David. I must. I've been waiting for years for this chance. If I succeed, it will crown all my life's work. DuL. But it's dangerous. David. I take a doctor and drugs. Besides, I bear a charmed life.* DuL. But this fever, — Eddie says it is deadly. David. [With great calmness, loohing away.'] It will pass me. But if it kills me I must go. DuL. No, no, no. David. Yes, yes, yes. I'm pledged. All my world, the little world that takes an interest in me, is watching me. There's the hope of a great prize. It's my one chance of snatching the poor little laurel-wreath that we mortals call immortality. 107 > Sits R. a • Call Sir Brice. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS DUL. But can't you go some other time ? David. I must be at my post, especially as it is a little danger- ous, — that makes it the post of honour. I've delayed everything till the last moment that I might be near you till the very end. DuL. * Rises— Goes L, c. Dulcie rises. The end! you again. Then this is the end? I shall never see Yes. When I return. David. DuL. \_8hahing her head.'] You will not return. {^LooTc- ing at him very keenly and closely.] Tell me, in your heart of hearts do you not know that you will never come back ? [David is about to speak.'] DuL. Ah no — tell me the truth! David. [Slowly and fatefully.] I wonder how it is that when one has carefully weeded out all the old superstitions from one's mind, a crop of new super- stitions springs up more foolish than the old ones. I've lived up there so long I've grown morbid. I've an attack of the silliest form of superstition — a presentiment. Dtjl. Ah, I knew it! David. In six months I shall laugh at it.^ it together. DuL. We will laugh at [Determinedly.] You shall not go ! 1 08 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III * Returns c. DaVIDo I must. I'm working with my comrades all over the world. I've undertaken this part of the work. If I don't carry it out I break faith with them and spoil their work too.^ All the good fellows who are going with me and sharing in my dangers are waiting for me at Marseilles. I can't leave them in the lurch — I can't — ^you would not have me do it ! Say you wouldn't have me stamp myself a coward, a deserter. DUL. ^0, nOo But I don't want you to go. him.^ If I asked you to stay David. [Approaching You will not — [Going towards her.l You will not [a little nearerl ask me to stay. [She looks at him — gradually they go closer to each other, and his manner changes from a calm, dreamy, fateful tone to a fierce, hoarse, passionate tone.'] Do you know what it means if I stay ? Dulcie ! DuL. You never called me that before. David. [Clasping her.'] I've never been so near to you. Dulcie! [With sudden, mad abandonment, clasp- ing her passionately.] Yes, I'll stay! I'll stay! Tell me to stay because — because — you love me. DuL. Stay — because — ah, you know I love you! David. Eddie's right. Let's be fools to-night! Let's live to-night ! I'm hungry for you ! Dulcie, tell me once again that you love me. DuL. "No — no. Forget it. What have I said? What shall we do ? 109 ACT III THE MASQUERADERS David. I don't know. What does it matter ? We will go to this hall — anything — anywhere ! Our lives are in our own hands. Come with me. Sir Brice enters l. He shuts the door, stands against it, his feet a little sprawling, his hands in his pockets, looking at them maliciously. Long pause. Helen enters at the other door. Another pav^e. She heckons Dulcie. Helen. Dulcie! [Indicates the inside room. Dulcie goes up to her.~\ [Exit Helen, c. Dulcie at the door looks at the two men. Exit Dulcie. The two men are left alone. Another slight pause. Sir Brice walks very deliberately up to David. The two men stand close to each other for a moment or two.'\ Sir Brice, You've come to settle your little account, I suppose ? David. I owe you nothing. Sir Brice. But I owe you six thousand pounds. I haven't a penny in the world. I'll cut you for it, double or quits. David. I don't play cards. Sir Brice. You'd better begin. [Rapping on the table with the cards.'] David. [Very firmly. 1 I don't play cards with you. Sir Brice. And I say you shall. no THE MASQUERADERS ACT III David. [Very stern and contemptuous.^ I don't play cards with you. \_Going toivards door.^ You refuse ? ^ I refuse. Sir Brice. David. Sir Brice. Once for all, will you give me a chance of paying back the six thousand pounds that Lady Skene has borrowed from you ? Yes or no ? David. N'o. Sir Brice. :tTo? David. [Very emphatically. ~\ No. [Goes to door, suddenly turns round, comes up to /iim.] Yes. [Comes to the tahle.~\ I do play cards with you. You want my money. Very well. I'll give you a chance of winning all I have in the world. Sir Brice. [After a looJc of astonishment. "1 Good. I'm your man. Any game you like, and any stakes. David. [Very calm, cold, intense tone all through.'] The stakes on my side are some two hundred thousand pounds. The stakes on your side are — ^your wife and child. Sir Brice. [Tahen abacl:.'\ My wife and child! David. Your wife and child. Come — begin ! [Points to the cards.'] Ill ' standing e. of table. ' Over table. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS * Sweeps cards from table. * Breaks pack. Sir Bkice, [Getting flurried.'] My wife and child? [Puts his hands restlessly through his hair, looks intently at David. Pause.] All right. [Pause. Cunningly.] I value mj wife and child very highly. David. I value them at all I have in the world. [Pointing to cards.] Begin! ^ Sir Brice. You seem in a hurry. David. I believe I haven't six months to live. I want to make the most of those six months. If I have more I want to make the most of all the years. Begin ! ^ Sir Brice. [Wipes his face with his handkerchief.] This is the first time I've played this game. .We'd better arrange conditions. David. There's only one condition. We play till I'm beg- gared of every farthing I have, or till you're beg- gared of them. Sit down ! Sir Brice. [Sits down.] Very well. [Pause.] What game ? ' David. The shortest. Sir Brice. Simple cutting? David. What you please. Begin ! Sir Brice. There's no hurry. I mean to have a night's fun out of this." • Breaks pack. Shuffles. 112 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III • Puts cards on table. David. Look at me. Don't trifle with me! I want to have done with you. I want them to have done with you. I want to get them away from you. Quick ! I want to know now — ^now — this very moment — whether they are yours or mine. Begin.^ SiK Brice. [Shuffles the cards.l All right. What do we cut for? David. Let one cut settle it. Sir Bkice. 2To. It's too much to risk on one throw. David. One cut. Begin. Sir Brice. It's too big. I can't.'^ I like high play, but that's too high for me. [David remains at table, very calm; does not stir all through the scene; ^ Sir Brice walk- ing ahout.l No, by Jove! I'll tell you what I'll do. Three cuts out of five. Damn it all ! I'm game ! Two out of three. By Jove, two out of three ! Will that do ? David. So be it ! Sit down ! Shuffle. [Sir Brice sits down; begins shuffling the cards. All through the scene he is nervous, excited, hysteri- cal, laughing. David as cold as a statue^^ Sir Brice. [Having shuffled.'] IN'ow then. Who cuts first? [The two men stare fixedly at each other.] [Duxcie enters at bacTc.] DUL. [Surprised.] Mr. Eemon! No! No! Not that! Not that! 8 113 * Rises— goes dovm L. and back. * David L. of table. Sir Brice R. of table. • David sits h. of table. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS David. [Coming down, warning her off with a motion of his hand.^ If you please. Stand aside for a moment. [Offers the cards to Sir Brice to cut.'] * Sweeps cards from table. * Red light- Warn cur- tain. Sir Brice. Ace counts lowest. David. As jou will. Cut. [Sir Brice cuts.] Sir Brice. King! By Jove! King! Cut! [David cw^s.] Sir Brice. !Nine ! ^ One to me ! By Jove ! one to me ! [ To DuLciE.] Give us up some of those cards, will you ? [David hy a gesture stops her; takes up the pack that Sir Brice has brohen and shuffles them.] Sir Brice. Shuffle up. By Jove ! if I win DUL. Mr. Remon, you'll not play any more ? David. [Very gently.] Stand aside, please. Sir Brice. 'No. Let her shuffle for us. She's in it, isn't she ? Dtjl. What do you mean ? Wliat are you playing for ? Sir Brice. You'd like to know, would you ? What are we play- ing for? I'll tell you. We're playing for you and your child I * 114 THE MASQUERADERS ACT III DUL. \^Suddenly.~\ What ? IShoivs great horror and as- tonishment.^ Mr. Remon ! It's not so ? It's not so ? [To David.] What are you playing for ? David. He has said. For you and your child. If I win, will you abide by the bargain ? [ Very long pause — she looks from one to the other. 1 DuL. Yes. David. IPuts cards on iable.~\ Cut. [They both shuffle cards.'] Sir Brice. [Very excited, laughing, nervous.'] You've got to win both now. You know that ? David. I know. Sir Brice. ICuts.] Ten. Not bad. You've got to beat it. Cut! [David cuts.] Sir Brice. Queen ! One each ! ^ ^Now for the final, d'ye hear ? This is final. If I win [Walking about excitedly ; pours out a glass of brandy — drinks.] I'll cut first ! ISTo ! Damn it all ! you cut first ! [Holding cards. David cuts.] Six. [To David, suddenly.] Sup- pose I win — you'll pay me ? You mean to pay me ? David. I shall pay you every farthing. Sir Brice. What security do you give me ? 115 Sweeps cards from table. David breaks another pack. fhiiflJes and piits them on table. ACT III THE MASQUERADERS * Sir Brice fines, moves chair, then goes to small table R. and dri7iks brandy. David. My word in the presence of the woman I love. Sir Brice. [Walks about.'] Let me be a moment.^ David. Cut. Sir Brice. [To DuLciE.] You're anxious, are you? I'm going to win ! I mean it! I'm going to win ! [To David.] Now! [David holds cards; Sir Brice cuts.~[ My God! I've lost !^ David. [Throws down the card-table ; leaps at him; catches hold of him by the throat.'] Yes, you've lost! She's mine! [Gets him down on his hnees.] You've cheated me of her all these years ! You've cheated me of her love, cheated me of the fatherhood of her child, you've dragged her down, you've dishonoured her! She's my wife now — my wife and child ! Take your oath you'll never lay claim to them again ! Swear it ! [Shaking him.] Sir Brice. * Sinks into chair. She's yours! Take her! I'll never see her or her child again ! I swear it ! Take them ! David. Dare to break your word — dare to lay a finger on her or her child — dare to show your face in the home that my love shall give to her — and whatever laws men have made to bind you and her together, I'll break them and rid her of you ! D'ye hear ? She's mine ! She's mine! She's mine! [Throws Sir Brice back on the floor. To Dulcie.] My wife! My child! Come ! You're mine ! [David seizes Dulcie in his arms and falls against l. door. Curtain begins to descend when Sir Brice thrown down.] Ii6 of. Alps ACT IV. Scene — The Ohesrvatory on Mount Garidelli in the Maritime Alps, near Nice. Li door, right. A large fireplace, with pine cones and pine logs ready laid, above door, right. At the hack, seen through a large curtained doorway, is the circular Observatory with large telescope. This room is vaguely seen, the telescope being lighted by a shaft of moonlight at the beginning of the Act. On the left side, slant-wise, a large loindow, with terrace outside, giving scenery of the Maritime Alps. A large armchair above the fireplace. On table and scattered about the room are a number of scien- tific books and astronomical instruments and ap- paratus. The window is curtained ivith Eastern curtains. As curtain rises the whole scene is dark except for the shaft of moonlight that falls on the telescope. [Enter David and Dulcie.^] David. Come in ! Come to your home ! My wife ! DUL. [Cold, shuddering.'] Ah no — don't call me that — at least not yet. David. You're shivering! Let me give you some wine. [Goes to cupboard, brings out bottle and glass, which he fills, places them on table.'] 117 1 David comfs on from r. door, carr'i- ing lighted lantern which he hangs on n hook c. Takes off h ' Going c. ACT IV THE MASQUERADERS another, and so on. It doesn't matter. It was what I did I" David. \_8ame tone.'\ I love her! I love her! I love her! You shan't reason me out of my happiness ! Helen. [Stopping him.'] I can't reason at all. I can only feel, and I know my instinct is right. I know the woman who gives herself to another man while her husband is alive betrays her sex, and is a bad woman. David. I love her! I love her! [Going towards door.] Helen. [Stopping him.'] Then make your love the best thing in her life, and the best thing in yours. You have loved her so well. You have made so many sacrifices for her. Make this one last sacrifice. Keep her pure for her child.* ^ Eddie. * Ped light to curtain. » David re- mains c, back to audi- ence. Eddie watches from window. * Goes to her. * Dulcie goes L. c. Helen goes to fire- place. That's God's voice speaking to you now, Davy. [Dulcie enters e. very quietly, loolcing off. DUL. [To David.] She's asleep. Go and look at her. [Exit David, r. Dulcie is about to follow. Helen stops her.] Helen. Dulcie. DUL. What ? 2 Helen. He's given his word to his comrades. Don't make him play the coward.^ [David re-enters, much calmer.] 126 THE MASQUERADERS ACT IV David. Miss Larondie, I'll write to you from Marseilles. I have left everything in order for her. If by any chance I should not return Ah! \_Goes to him.'] DUL. David. Take care of her while I'm away. DuL. But if you do not return ? David. [Very calm, very hitter, very tender, with a little smile.] Then — we shall have played our parts well in this little puppet-show, shall we not ? Don't cry, my dear, why should you ? If I were a soldier, you would tell me to go. We shall not be absent from each other long. Don't cry, dear. It's my duty to go, Dulcie. Be brave. Tell me to go. DuL. [Boivs her head.] Go. Go.^ David. \_Going from her some steps.] I've played this great game of love like a fool, as men would say. Perhaps I've played the great game of life like a fool, too. If we are sacrificing ourselves for a shadow we are only doing what earth's best creatures have done be- fore us. If duty is reality, we have done right. Bight — wrong — duty — they may be all shadows, but my love for you is real. [Dulcie is sohhing, lie comes to her.] Hush! Hush, dear! We shall never know satiety. Our love will never grow stale and commonplace, will it ? Dulcie, we've only thrown away the husks. We've kept the immortal part of our love — if there is an immortal part. Look ! this is my mother's wedding ring. [Tahing a very thin 127 1 She turns her back to audi- ence and leans against chair. David crosses front of her., as if to go to irin- doiv ; then turns to her. ACT IV THE MASQUERADERS gold ring from his little finger.^ She gave it to me as she was dying. It has never left my finger since. I give it you in exchange for the one I took from you. Give me your hand. [Dulcie gives it.^ With this ring I thee wed. As she that bore me was pure, so I leave you pure, dear. Kiss me once — I've held you sacred! [She kisses him.'] Good-bye. No, stay.^ [Pours out a glass of wine, gives it to her.] Drink with me. [She takes the glass, drinks some of it. He takes it from her, drains it, dashes the glass on the floor, where it is shivered to atoms; he then turns very brightly and gaily to Eddie.] Now Eddie — our work ! Eddie. Ready, big brother ! ^ David. * Takes glass of wine he has previously poured out and left on table up L. and gives it to her. • Eddie hands cloak. [To Dulcie.] In six months from now, come to meet me, my wife, and bring our child. Or, it may be a little later — but come and meet me — my wife — a little later. DuL. Where ? David. In that little star in Andromeda. All's real there. [Exeunt Eddie and David through window.] Curtain. // curtain is called up, show a picture of David outside the window, in the full morning sunlight, the mountains covered with snow behind him; Eddie is beside him drawing him away. 128 ACT I. Time of Representation — Thirty-eight minutes. Hand Properties. — Claret-tray, and glasses; pocketbook and stamps for Brinkler; key and glass cloth for Dulcie; candle for Reraon ; cooper's mallet for Randall. Furniture. — Small rustic table and two chairs l.c. ; long table, form, and chairs ii. ; barrel and stool up l.c. ; form up c. ; table and form chairs in back room. Other Properties. — Writing materials and railway guides outside bar; " Sporting Times " and matches on r. table ; bottle of gin, water jug, glasses, pewter, etc., inside bar; newspapers on L. c. table ; candlestick, etc., in further room; bell hanging l. ; appropriate articles to dress scene. Light. — Everything full up during act; tee -pendant in bar; burners and consumers over doors and openings; chandelier in room up c. ; two amber limes l. shelf; ditto R. ; four other limes, one R. fly, one l. fly, two outside gates. ACT II. Time op Representation — Thirty-two minutes. Hand Properties. — Wedding ring for Dulcie; coins for Sir Brice. Furniture Used. — Sofa r.c, small table r. of it; sofa up l. ; chair down l. ; basket chairs off c. Other Properties. — Flowers, palms, ornaments, etc. Lights. — Everything full up during Act; lighted sconces and chandeliers; two amber limes L. ; shelf ditto u. shelf; one off down L. ; ditto up R. ; two blue limes off c. ; change to yellow at cue. ACT III. Time of Representation — Twenty-eight minutes. Hand Properties. — Salver and letter for servant. Furniture Used. — Sofa r. small table above it ; armchair front of fireplace ; writing desk and chair up L. ; chair down L. ; card table c, armchair either side of it; dressing-table and chair off up c; cabinet off L.; carpets, rugs, etc. 9 129 I30 THE MASQUERADERS. Other Properties. — Decanters and glasses, bell push l.; loose cards on floor and table, also half dozen broken packs. Lights. — Everything three-quarters up through act, lighted sconces, lire and chandelier, two pale blue limes off R., one amber lime at fireplace, one open lime behind trans. C, two amber limes L. shelf, ditto R. shelf. ACT IV. Time of Representation.— Fifteen minutes. Hand Properties. — Lighted lantern, hat and cloak for David, cloak for Dulcie, rings used this act. Furniture. — Table and chair down l. ; table up c. ; cup- board up R.C.; table down R.; armchair front by fire ; chair up L. Other Properties.— Decanter and glasses in cupboard, matches on mantel ; telescope down L. Lights. — When curtain rises, everything to be as low as possible, at cues everything to go gradually up, fire ready to be lighted, amber limes L. of shelf, ditto at fireplace, both to come on when fire is lighted ; one special blue lime from L. fly to shine on telescope at back ; three limes front of trans- parency, two behind ; these change colors at once. Music. — For rise of curtain to continue till David speaks. PROPERTY PLOT. ACT I. Rustic table L. C. with chair either side. Long plain table R. Chair L. of it, form R. of it. Four chairs and a table in room up C. Form outside window. Three chairs on gallery R. over bar. Wine barrel up L. C, stool beside it. Two pails down L. Shrubs in boxes about Scene. Rope mats at doors. Carpets and rods to stairs. Mats to doors on gallery, curtains to windows. Flower boxes on balustrade, flower-pots over bar. Flags and wreathing hanging from roof. Clock in C. of bal- cony. Spring bells on Scene L. Special one by stair- case. Coaching pasters about Scene. Cards, matches, pipes, etc., on table in further room. Railway guides and subscription lists hanging on bar window. Writing materials and newspapers outside bar. Inside bar, jugs, glasses, pewters, beer engine, men, etc. Matches and " Sporting Times " on R. table. Newspaper on L. C. table. Wedding ring and lighted candle off R. for David. Key and glass cloth for Dulcie. Bottle of claret on cradle. Tray and two glasses for Brinkler; also pocketbook and stamps, handbag for Helen, cooper's mallet in bar for Montague. ACT II. Handsome drawing-room furniture, sofa R. C. Small table below it, chair R. of table. Table down R., vase below it, chair above it. Pedestal up R., small cabinet beside it. Pedestal up L., small table beside it. Sofa up L., cabinet behind chair, below two handsome pedestal 132 THE MASQUERADERS lamps R. and L., small table down L. Chair above. Table and settee and piano off L. Table off R. Arm- chair, two duet seats and small table on balcony C. Palms and floral decorations to lavishly dress Scene. Three handsome hanging baskets of flowers from ceiling. French square C. Rugs to openings. Coffee cups on table up C. Wedding ring for Dulcie. Coins for Sir Brioe. ACT III. Handsome sitting-room furniture. Sofa R., chair be- low it, small table above. Armchair and footstool front of fire. Table above it. Writing-desk and chair L. of C. door. Settee up L. Chair down L. Round card- table C. Chair either side. Cabinet off L. Dressing- table, armchair and settee off C. Carpets off C. and off L. Rugs to fireplace, window, and C. door. Carpet square C. Fender and fireirons. Handsome mirror, clock and candelabra on mantelshelf. Palms and flowers on balcony. Decanter and glasses on small table R. Bell push L. of fire. Mirror, hairbrushes, combs, lighted candles, etc., on dressing-table off C. Loose cards on floor and on table, and a half dozen in broken packs. Salver and letter for servant. ACT IV. Good plain furniture. Small table down R., ditto above R. door. Armchair front of fire ; table above. Cupboard up R. C. Long table up C, chair L. of it. Table and armchair down L. Telescope on tripod L. C. Mariner's compass beside it. Sextant, quadrant, orrery and various astronomical appliances about Scene, also globes, books, maps, charts, etc. Box of matches on mantel, log basket R. of fire. Rugs to hearth and doors and openings. Lighted lantern off R. THE MASQUERADERS 133 SCENE PLOT. ACT I. Courtyard of Old Coaching Inn. R. is a built out semicircular bar, with windows, shelves and counter, in the middle of bar is a casement to slide up, a practical half door and a counter flap. Beyond bar narrow door next to which is an opening with corridor backing. At right angles to opening is a short staircase with small platform and dummy door. Above that is another open- ing. C. is a large bow window beyond which is a bar parlour with door at back. L. of window is a door. And L. of door is an opening. Below that is a short staircase with platform and practical interior backed door. L. of staircase is a narrow opening with steps beside is a booking office, below are two high gates fastened with iron bar supported by stout pillars. A balustraded gallery runs round Scene, and supported by further pillars a glass roof covers the whole courtyard. Leading into gallery are seven doors 3 C, 2 R., 2 L., also there are 6 windows at regular intervals. Behind gallery is a strong platform with practical steps. Sand and stone stage cloth. ACT II. Handsome green and gold drawing-room opening with corridor backing up R. Opening with balustrade and illuminated house backing C. Opening with corridor backing down L. Parquet stage cloth, handsome ceiling. ACT HI. Good papered chamber with plain ceiling to represent sitting-room in French Hotel. Door with corridor back- ing down L. Door with practical lock C. Beyond it a 134 THE MASQUERADERS dressing-room. Fireplace up R. Down R. are French windows with balustrade and illuminated backing show- ing seashore at Nice by night. ACT IV. Dark wooden chamber with ceiling to match. Door with interior backing down R., above that a built out fireplace, above fireplace a door, At right angles to that an opening showing semicircular observatory with large profile telescope. L. of Scene is a wide opening with French windows outside which are a balustrade and a long panorama transparency showing view of Alps. GAS AND LIME PLOT. ACT I. Chandelier in room up C. Lamp over bar R. Another up stairway L. T pendant and two brackets in bar. Burners over opening R. and door up C. and in room up C. Globes and consumers to same. All of the above to be lighted. Everything except batteries full up during Act. Four amber limes. 2 R. shelf, 2 L. shelf. Four blue limes. 2 outside gateway L., i from R. flies, i from L. flies. ACT II. Lighted Sconces up and down L. Ditto R. Hand- some chandelier off L. The whole Scene to be bril- liantly illuminated. Six amber limes — 2 R. shelf, 2 L. shelf. I off up R., I off down L. Two blue limes on backing up C. Change at cue to yellow. ACT III. Chandelier from ceiling C, sconces up L. and R. and down L. Three light brackets off L. Fire up R. All of THE MASQUERADERS 135 the above to be lighted. Everything to be f up during Act. Five amber limes, 2 R. shelf, 2 L. shelf, i through fireplace. Two pale blue limes on backing R. One white lime behind transparency up C. ACT IV. Log fire R. to be lit at cue. When curtain rises every- thing to be down as low as possible. At cues everything to go gradually up. Two amber limes, i from L. shelf, I through fireplace, both to come on slowly when fire burns up. One special blue lime from L. fly to shine on telescope. Three limes in front of panorama cloth and two behind. These must be fitted with long glasses stained blue, red, yellow consecutively to admit of gradual change of colour at cues.