Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour

[John comes in. Jenny, after taking his hand, sinks down on a chair, paying no attention to the following conversation; she stares in front of her, quite distraught. Basil tries with all his might to appear calm and natural.Basil

Hulloa, what are you doing in these parts?

John

How d'you do, Mrs. Kent? I've been having an early lunch at Richmond, and I thought I'd just drop in on my way back. As it was Saturday afternoon I thought I might find you.

Basil

I'm sure we're delighted to see you. [John gives a side-glance at Jenny, and slightly raises his eyebrows.] But you've only just come in time, because I've got to go up to town. We might travel up together.

John

Certainly.

Jenny

Where are you going, Basil?

Basil

To Chancery Lane, to see my agent on business.

Jenny

[Suspiciously.] On Saturday afternoon? Why, he won't be there.

Basil

I have an appointment with him.

[Jenny does not answer, but is obviously unconvinced. John, somewhat embarrassed, exerts himself to make conversation.John

I was thinking as I came along that one must lead quite an idyllic existence in the suburbs – with the river – and one's little garden.

Basil

[Ironically.] And the spectacle of the fifty little houses opposite all exactly like one another.

John

And the quiet is perfectly enchanting.

Basil

Oh, yes. The only vehicles that disturb the peaceful seclusion are the milk-cart and the barrel-organs. It's quite idyllic.

Jenny

I think it's a very nice neighbourhood. And you get such a superior class of people here.

Basil

I'll just go and change. [Looking at his watch. There's a train at 4.15.

John

All right, hurry up.

[Basil goes out of the room. Jenny at once springs to her feet and goes towards John. She is distracted and hardly knows whatshe says.Jenny

Can I trust you?

John

What d'you mean?

[She stares into his eyes, doubting, trying to see whether he will be willing to help her.Jenny

You used to be a good sort. You never looked down on me because I was a barmaid. Tell me I can trust you, John. There's no one I can speak to, and I feel if I don't speak I shall go off my head.

John

What is the matter?

Jenny

Will you tell me the truth if I ask you something?

John

Of course.

Jenny

On your oath?

John

On my oath.

Jenny

[After a momentary pause.] Is there anything between Basil and Mrs. Murray?

John

[Aghast.] No. Certainly not.

Jenny

How d'you know? Are you sure? You wouldn't tell me, if there was. You're all against me because I'm not a lady… Oh, I'm so unhappy.

[She tries to restrain her tears, she is half-hysterical. John stares at her, surprised, at a loss for words.Jenny

If you only knew what a life we lead! He calls it a dog's life, and he's right.

John

I thought you got on so well.

Jenny

Oh, before you we've always kept up appearances. He's ashamed to let you know he regrets he ever married me. He wants to separate.

John

What!

Jenny

[Impatiently.] Oh, don't look so surprised. You're not an utter fool, are you? He proposed it to-day before you came in. We'd been having one of our rows.

John

But what on earth is it all about?

Jenny

God knows!

John

It's nonsense. It can only be a little passing quarrel. You must expect to have those.

Jenny

No, it isn't. No, it isn't. He doesn't love me. He's in love with your sister-in-law.

John

It's impossible.

Jenny

He's always there. He was there twice last week and twice the week before.

John

How d'you know?

Jenny

I've followed him.

John

You followed him in the street, Jenny?

Jenny

[Defiantly.] Yes. If I'm not ladylike enough for him, I needn't play the lady there. You're shocked now, I suppose?

John

I wouldn't presume to judge you, Jenny.

Jenny

And I've read his letters, too – because I wanted to know what he was doing. I steamed one open, and he saw it, and he never said a word.

John

Good heavens, why did you do it?

Jenny

Because I can't live unless I know the truth. I thought it was Mrs. Murray's handwriting.

John

Was it from her?

Jenny

No. It was a receipt from the coal merchant. I could see how he despised me when he looked at the envelope – I didn't stick it down again very well. And I saw him smile when he found it was only a receipt.

John

Upon my word, I don't think you've got much cause to be jealous.

Jenny

Oh, you don't know. Last Tuesday he was dining there, and you should have seen the state he was in. He was so restless he couldn't sit still. He looked at his watch every minute. His eyes simply glittered with excitement, and I could almost hear his heart beating.

John

It can't be true.

Jenny

He never loved me. He married me because he thought it was his duty. And then when the baby died – he thought I'd entrapped him.

John

He didn't say so.

Jenny

No. He never says anything – but I saw it in his eyes. [Passionately clasping her hands.] Oh, you don't know what our life is. For days he doesn't say a word except to answer my questions. And the silence simply drives me mad. I shouldn't mind if he blackguarded me. I'd rather he hit me than simply look and look. I can see he's keeping himself in. He's said more to-day than he's ever said before. I knew it was getting towards the end.

John

[With a helpless gesture.] I'm very sorry.

Jenny

Oh, don't you pity me, too. I've had a great deal too much pity. I don't want it. Basil married me from pity. Oh, I wish he hadn't. I can't stand the unhappiness.

John

[Gravely.] You know, Jenny, he's a man of honour.

Jenny

Oh, I know he's a man of honour. I wish he had a little less of it. One doesn't want a lot of fine sentiments in married life. They don't work… Oh, why couldn't I fall in love with a man of my own class? I should have been so much happier. I used to be so proud that Basil wasn't a clerk, or something in the City. He's right, we shall never be happy.

John

[Trying to calm her.] Oh, yes, you will. You mustn't take things too seriously.

Jenny

It isn't a matter of yesterday, or to-day, or to-morrow. I can't alter myself. He knew I wasn't a lady when he married me. My father had to bring up five children on two-ten a week. You can't expect a man to send his daughters to a boarding-school at Brighton on that, and have them finished in Paris… He doesn't say a word when I do something or say something a lady wouldn't – but he purses up his lips, and looks… Then I get so mad that I do things just to aggravate him. Sometimes I try to be vulgar. One learns a good deal in a bar in the City, and I know so well the things to say that'll make Basil curl up. I want to get a bit of revenge out of him sometimes, and I know exactly where he's raw and where I can hurt him. [With a laugh of scorn.] You should see the way he looks when I don't eat properly, or when I call a man a Johnny.

John

[Drily.] It opens up endless possibilities of domestic unhappiness.

Jenny

Oh, I know it isn't fair to him, but I lose my head. I can't always be refined. Sometimes I can't help breaking out. I feel I must let myself go.

John

Why don't you separate, then?

Jenny

Because I love him. Oh, John, you don't know how I love him. I'd do anything to make him happy. I'd give my life if he wanted it. Oh, I can't say it, but when I think of him my heart burns so that sometimes I can hardly breathe. I can never show him that he's all in the world to me; I try to make him love me, and I only make him hate me. What can I do to show him? Ah, if he only knew, I'm sure he'd not regret that he married me. I feel – I feel as if my heart was full of music, and yet something prevents me from ever bringing it out.

John

D'you think he means it seriously when he talks of separation?

Jenny

He's been brooding over it. I know him so well, I knew there was something he was thinking over. Oh, John, I couldn't live without him. I'd rather die. If he leaves me, I swear I'll kill myself.

John

[Walking up and down.] I wish I could help you. I don't see anything I can do.

Jenny

Oh, yes, there is. Speak to your sister-in-law. Ask her to have mercy on me. Perhaps she doesn't know what she's doing. Tell her I love him… Take care. There's Basil. If he knew what I'd said he'd never speak to me again.

[Basil comes in, dressed in a frock-coat; with atall hat in his hand.Basil

I'm ready. We've just got time to catch the train.

John

All right. Good-bye, Mrs. Kent.

Jenny

[Keeping her eyes fixed on Basil.] Good-bye.

[The two men go out. Jenny runs to the door and calls out.Jenny

Basil, I want you a moment, Basil!

[Basil appears at the door.Jenny

Are you really going to Chancery Lane?

[Basil makes a movement of impatience and goes out again without answering.Jenny

[Alone.] Oh, well, I'm going to see that for myself. [Calling to the Maid.] Fanny!.. Bring my hat and my jacket. Quick!

[She runs to the window and looks out at Basil and John going away. Fanny appears with the clothes. Jenny hurriedly putsthem on.Jenny

[As Fanny is helping her.] What time is it?

Fanny

[Looking up at the clock.] Five minutes past four.

Jenny

I think I can catch it. He said 4.15.

Fanny

Will you be in to tea, mum?

Jenny

I don't know. [She runs to the door and rushes out.]

END OF THE SECOND ACT

THE THIRD ACT

The Same Afternoon

[A luxuriously furnished drawing-room at Mrs. Murray's house in Charles Street, Mayfair. Everything in it is beautiful, but suggests in the owner good taste rather than originality.]

[Hilda is seated near a tea-table, elaborately gowned, and with her is Mabel. Mr. Robert Brackley is sitting down, a stout, round-faced man, clean-shaven and very bald; about forty; he is attired in the height of fashion, in a frock-coat, patent-leather boots and an eye-glass. He talks very quickly, in a careless frivolous fashion, and is always much amused at what he says.]

Mabel

What is the time, Mr. Brackley?

Brackley

I shan't tell you again.

Mabel

How brutal of you!

Brackley

There's something unhealthy in your passion for information. I've already told you five times.

Hilda

It's very unflattering to us who've been doing our little best to amuse you.

Mabel

I can't imagine what's happened to John. He promised to fetch me here.

Hilda

He's sure to come if you'll only wait patiently.

Mabel

But I hate waiting patiently.

Hilda

You shouldn't have let him out of your sight.

Mabel

He went to Putney after luncheon to see your friend Mr. Kent. Have you seen him lately?

Hilda

John? I saw him at the Martins yesterday.

Mabel

[Slyly.] I meant Mr. Kent.

Hilda

[Indifferently.] Yes. He called the other day. [To change the conversation.] You're unusually silent, Mr. Brackley.

Brackley

[Smiling.] I have nothing whatever to say.

Mabel

That's usually when clever people talk most.

Hilda

Are you doing anything now?

Brackley

Oh yes, I'm writing a play in blank verse.

Hilda

You brave man. What is it about?

Brackley

Cleopatra.

Hilda

Dear me! Shakespeare wrote a play about Cleopatra, didn't he?

Brackley

I daresay. I haven't read it. Shakespeare bores me. He lived so long ago.

Mabel

Of course there are people who read him.

Brackley

Are there? What do they look like?

Hilda

[Smiling.] They bear no distinctive mark of their eccentricity.

Brackley

The English are so original.

Mabel

I think I shall go and ring up the flat. I wonder if John has gone straight home.

Brackley

Do. I'm growing very uneasy about him.

Mabel

[Laughing.] You absurd creature.

[She goes out.Hilda

You talk more nonsense than anyone I ever met.

Brackley

That's my stock in trade. You don't imagine people would read my poems if they knew that I was sober, industrious, and economical. As a matter of fact I lead the virtuous life of a clergyman's daughter, but not a reviewer would notice me if he knew it.

Hilda

And the little things that the indiscreet read of in the papers…

Brackley

Are merely another proof of my passion for duty. The British public wants its poets to lead romantic lives.

Hilda

Are you ever serious?

Brackley

May I come to lunch with you on Thursday?

Hilda

[A little surprised.] Certainly. But why on Thursday?

Brackley

Because on that day I intend to ask you to marry me.

Hilda

[With a smile.] I'm sorry, I've just remembered that I'm lunching out.

Brackley

You break my heart.

Hilda

On the contrary, I provide you with the materials for a sonnet.

Brackley

Won't you marry me?

Hilda

No.

Brackley

Why not?

Hilda

[Amused.] I'm not in the least in love with you.

Brackley

People who propose to marry should ask themselves if they can look forward with equanimity to breakfasting opposite one another for an indefinite number of years.

Hilda

You're very unromantic.

Brackley

My dear lady, if you want romance I'll send you my complete works bound in vellum. I've ground out ten volumes of romance to Phyllis and Chloe and heaven knows who. The Lord save me from a romantic wife.

Hilda

But I'm afraid I'm hopelessly romantic.

Brackley

Well, six months of marriage with a poet will cure you.

Hilda

I'd rather not be cured.

Brackley

Won't you be in to luncheon on Thursday?

Hilda

No.

[The Butler comes in.Butler

Mr. Halliwell, Mr. Kent.

[Basil and John appear, and at the same moment Mabel comes in from the room in which she has been telephoning.Mabel

[To John.] Wretched creature! I've been trying to ring you up.

John

Have I kept you waiting? I went down to Chancery Lane with Basil.

[John turns to shake hands with Hilda and Brackley, while Basil, who has said how d'you do to Hilda, comes down to speak to Mabel. The conversation between Mabel and Basil is in an undertone.Basil

How d'you do. You must scold me for keeping John so long.

Mabel

I didn't really want him, you know.

Basil

[Pointing with his head to Brackley.] I say, who is that?

Mabel

Robert Brackley. Don't you know him?

Basil

The poet?

Mabel

Of course. They say he'd have been given the Laureateship if it hadn't been abolished at Tennyson's death.

Basil

[Tightening his lips.] He's rather a low blackguard, isn't he?

Mabel

Heavens, what's the matter with him, poor man? He's Hilda's latest celebrity. He pretends to adore her.

Basil

Don't you remember the Grange case that he was mixed up in?

Mabel

[In tones of surprise.] But, my dear Mr. Kent, that was two years ago.

Hilda

Mr. Kent, I want to introduce you to Mr. Brackley.

Basil

[Going up.] How d'you do.

[John comes down to his wife.Mabel

Wretched creature!

John

I say, Mabel, is Basil often here?

Mabel

I don't know. I met him here last week.

John

Why the Dickens does he come? He's got no business to.

Mabel

You brought him yourself to-day.

John

I didn't. He insisted on coming – when I said I had to fetch you.

Mabel

Perhaps he came to see me.

John

Fiddledidee! I think you ought to speak to Hilda about it.

Mabel

My dear John, are you mad? She'd jump down my throat.

John

Why does she let him hang about her? She must know she's turning his silly head.

Mabel

I daresay she wants to prove to him that he showed very bad taste a year ago. It is rather annoying when you're attached to a young man that he should go and marry somebody else.

John

Well, I don't think she's playing the game, and I shall tell her so.

Mabel

She'll snub you awfully.

John

I don't care… Look here, you make a diversion so that I can get hold of her.

Mabel

How?

John

[Dryly.] I don't know. Exercise your invention.

Mabel

[Going towards the others.] Hilda, John is clamouring for some tea.

Hilda

[Coming down.] Why on earth can't he help himself?

John

My native modesty prevents.

Hilda

That's quite a new trait in you.

[Hilda sits down and pours out tea for John. He looks at her silently.Hilda

You've been lunching at Richmond?

John

Yes… Then I went on to Putney.

Hilda

You've been making quite a day of it.

John

[Taking the cup.] I say, old gal – you're not going to make a fool of yourself, are you?

Hilda

[Opening her eyes.] Oh, I hope not. Why?

John

I thought it might have slipped your memory that Basil was married about a year ago.

Hilda

[Freezing.] What on earth d'you mean? [Calling] Mabel.

John

One moment… You can give me a little conversation, can't you?

Hilda

I'm afraid you're going to bore me.

John

[Good-humouredly.] I assure you I'm not… Isn't Basil here rather often?

Hilda

I wonder you haven't learnt to mind your own business, John.

John

Don't you think it's rather rough on that poor little woman in Putney?

Hilda

[With a suspicion of contempt.] I went down to see her. I thought she was vulgar and pretentious. I'm afraid I can't arouse any interest in her.

John

[Gently.] She may be vulgar, but she told me her love was like music in her heart. Don't you think she must have suffered awfully to get hold of a thought like that?

Hilda

[After a pause, changing suddenly both voice and manner.] And d'you think I've not suffered, John? I'm so unhappy.

John

Do you really care for him?

Hilda

[In a low voice hoarse with passion.] No, I don't care for him. I worship the very ground he treads on.

John

[Very gravely.] Then you must do as you think best… You're playing the most dangerous game in the world. You're playing with human hearts… Good-bye.

Hilda

[Taking his hand.] Good-bye, John. You're not angry with me because I was horrid… I'm glad you told me about his wife. Now I shall know what to do.

John

Mabel.

Mabel

[Coming forward.] Yes, we really must be going. I've not seen my precious baby for two hours.

Hilda

[Taking both her hands.] Good-bye, you happy child. You've got a precious baby, and you've got a husband you love. What can you want more?

Mabel

[Flippantly.] I want a motor-car.

Hilda

[Kissing her.] Good-bye, darling.

[Mabel and John go out.Brackley

I like this room, Mrs. Murray. It never seems to say to you: now it's really time for you to go away, as some drawing-rooms do.

Hilda

[Recovering her serenity.] I suppose it's the furniture. I'm thinking of changing it.

Brackley

[With a smile.] Upon my word, that almost suggests that I've outstayed my welcome.

Hilda

[Gaily.] I shouldn't have said that if I didn't know that nothing would induce you to go till you wanted to.

Brackley

[Rising.] You know me like your glove. But it really is growing monstrous late.

Hilda

You mustn't go till you've told me who the fair charmer was I saw you with at the play last night.

Brackley

Ah, the green-eyed monster!

Hilda

[Laughing.] Don't be so absurd, but I thought you'd like to know her yellow hair was dyed.

[Basil looks over the pages of a book, somewhat annoyed that Hilda takes no notice of him.Brackley

Of course it was dyed. That was just the charm of it. Any woman can have yellow hair naturally: there's no more credit in that than in having it blue or green.

Hilda

I've always wanted to make mine purple.

Brackley

Don't you think women ought to be artificial? It's just as much their duty to rouge their cheeks and powder their noses as it is for them to wear nice frocks.

Hilda

But I know many women who wear horrid frocks.

Brackley

Oh, those are the others. I treat them as non-existent.

Hilda

What do you mean?

Brackley

There are only two sorts of women in the world – the women who powder their noses and the others.

Hilda

And who are they if you please?

Brackley

I haven't examined the matter very carefully, but I understand they are clergymen's daughters by profession.

[He shakes hands with her.Hilda

It's so nice of you to have come.

Brackley

[Nodding at Basil.] Good-bye… May I come again soon?

Hilda

[Looking at him quickly.] Were you serious just now, or were you laughing at me?

Brackley

I've never been more serious in my life.

Hilda

Then perhaps I shall be in to luncheon on Thursday after all.

Brackley

A thousand thanks. Good-bye.

[He nods to Basil and goes out. Hilda looks at Basil with a smile.Hilda

Is that a very interesting book?

Basil

[Putting it down.] I thought that man was never going away.

Hilda

[Laughing.] I suspect he thought precisely the same of you.

Basil

[Ill-temperedly.] What an ass he is! How can you stand him?

Hilda

I'm rather attached to him. I don't take everything he says very seriously. And young men ought to be foolish.

Basil

He didn't strike me as so juvenile as all that.

Hilda

He's only forty, poor thing – and I've never known a coming young man who was less than that.

Basil

He's a young man with a very bald head.

Hilda

[Amused.] I wonder why you dislike him!

Basil

[With a jealous glance, icily.] I thought he wasn't admitted into decent houses.

Hilda

[Opening her eyes.] He comes here, Mr. Kent.

Basil

[Unable to restrain his ill-temper.] Don't you know that he's been mixed up in every scandal for the last twenty years?

Hilda

[Good-humouredly, seeing that Basil is merely jealous.] There must be people in the world to provide gossip for their neighbours.

Basil

It's no business of mine. I have no right to talk to you like this.

Hilda

I wonder why you do it?

Basil

[Almost savagely.] Because I love you.

[There is a little pause.Hilda

[With a smile, ironically.] Won't you have some more tea, Mr. Kent?

Basil

[Going up to her, speaking with a sort of vehement gravity.] You don't know what I've suffered. You don't know what a hell my life is… I tried so hard to prevent myself from coming here. When I married I swore I'd break with all my old friends… When I married I found I loved you.

Hilda

I can't listen to you if you talk like that.

Basil

D'you want me to go?

[She does not answer for a moment, but walks up and down in agitation. At last shestops and faces him.Hilda

Did you hear me tell Mr. Brackley to come on Thursday?

Basil

Yes.

Hilda

He's asked me to be his wife. And on Thursday I shall give him an answer.

Basil

Hilda!

Hilda

[Earnestly.] It's you who've driven me into it.

Basil

Hilda, what are you going to say to him?

Hilda

I don't know – perhaps, yes?

Basil

Oh, Hilda, Hilda, you don't care for him?

Hilda

[Shrugging her shoulders.] He amuses me. I dare say we should get on very well together.

Basil

[Passionately.] Oh, you can't. You don't know what you're doing. I thought – I thought you loved me.

Hilda

It's because I love you that I shall marry Mr. Brackley.

Basil

Oh, it's absurd. I won't let you. You're making us both utterly wretched. I won't let you sacrifice our happiness. Oh, Hilda, I love you. I can't live without you. At first I tried to resist seeing you. I used to pass your door and look up at your windows; and the door seemed as if it were waiting for me. And at the end of the street I used to look back. Oh, how I used to want to come in and see you once more! I thought if I saw you just once, I should get over it. And at last I couldn't help myself. I'm so weak. Do you despise me?

Hilda

[Almost in a whisper.] I don't know.

Basil

And you were so kind I couldn't help coming again. I thought I did no harm.

Hilda

I saw you were unhappy.