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

Basil

I should think I was unhappy. For months I've dreaded going home. When I saw my house as I walked along I almost turned sick. You don't know how fervently I've wished that I'd got killed in the war. I can't go on.

Hilda

But you must. It's your duty.

Basil

Oh, I think I've had enough of duty and honour. I've used up all my principles in the last year.

Hilda

Don't say that, Basil.

Basil

After all, it's my own fault. I brought it on myself, and I must take the consequences… But I haven't the strength, I don't love her.

Hilda

Then don't let her ever find it out. Be kind to her, and gentle and forbearing.

Basil

I can't be kind and gentle and forbearing day after day, for weeks, and months, and years.

Hilda

I thought you were a brave man. They wouldn't have given you that medal if you'd been a coward.

Basil

Oh, my dearest, it's not hard to risk your life in the midst of battle. I can do that – but this needs more strength than I've got. I tell you I can't endure it.

Hilda

[Tenderly.] But it'll get better. You'll get used to one another, and you'll understand one another better.

Basil

We're too different. It's impossible for it to get better. We can't even go on as we have been. I've felt that the end was coming.

Hilda

But try – try for my sake.

Basil

You don't know what it is. Everything she says, everything she does, jars upon me so frightfully. I try to restrain myself. I clench my teeth to prevent myself from breaking out at her. Sometimes I can't help it, and I say things that I'd give anything to have left unsaid. She's dragging me down. I'm getting as common and vulgar as she is.

Hilda

How can you say that of your wife?

Basil

Don't you think I must have gone through a good deal before I could acknowledge to myself what she was? I'm chained to her for all my life. And when I look into the future – I see her a vulgar, slatternly shrew like her mother, and myself abject, degraded, and despicable. The woman never tires in her conflict with the man, and in the end he always succumbs. A man, when he marries a woman like that, thinks he's going to lift her up to his own station. The fool! It's she who drags him down to hers.

Hilda

[Much disturbed, rising from her seat.] I wanted you to be so happy.

Basil

[Going towards her.] Hilda!

Hilda

No – don't… Please!

Basil

If it weren't for you I couldn't have lived. It was only by seeing you that I gathered courage to go on with it. And each time I came here I loved you more passionately.

Hilda

Oh, why did you come?

Basil

I couldn't help it. I knew it was poison, but I loved the poison. I would give my whole soul for one look of your eyes.

Hilda

If you care for me at all, do your duty like a brave man – and let me respect you.

Basil

Say that you love me, Hilda.

Hilda

[Distracted.] You're making our friendship impossible. Don't you see that you're preventing me from ever having you here again?

Basil

I can't help it.

Hilda

I ought never to have seen you again. I thought there was no harm in your coming, and I – I couldn't bear to lose you altogether.

Basil

Even if I never see you again, I must tell you now that I love you. I made you suffer, I was blind. But I love you with all my heart, Hilda. All day I think of you, and I dream of you in the night. I long to take you in my arms and kiss you, to kiss your lips, and your beautiful hair, and your hands. My whole soul is yours, Hilda.

[He goes towards her again to take her in his arms.Hilda

Oh, no, go away. For God's sake, go now. I can't bear it.

Basil

Hilda, I can't live without you.

Hilda

Have mercy on me. Don't you see how weak I am? Oh, God help me!

Basil

You don't love me?

Hilda

[Vehemently.] You know I love you. But because of my great love I beseech you to do your duty.

Basil

My duty is to be happy. Let us go where we can love one another – away from England, to a land where love isn't sinful and ugly.

Hilda

Oh, Basil, let us try to walk straight. Think of your wife, who loves you also – as much as I do. You're all the world to her. You can't treat her so shamefully.

[She puts her handkerchief to her eyes, and Basil gently takes away her hand.Basil

Don't cry, Hilda. I can't bear it.

Hilda

[In broken tones.] Don't you understand that we could never respect ourselves again if we did that poor creature such a fearful wrong? She would be always between us with her tears and her sorrows. I tell you I couldn't bear it. Have mercy on me – if you love me at all.

Basil

[Wavering.] Hilda, it's too hard. I can't leave you.

Hilda

You must. I know it's better to do our duty. For my sake, dearest, go back to your wife, and don't let her ever know that you love me. It's because we're stronger than she that we must sacrifice ourselves.

[He leans his head on his hands, and sighs deeply. For a while they remain in silence. At last, with another sigh, he gets up.Basil

I don't know any longer what's right and what's wrong. It all seems confused. It's very hard.

Hilda

[Hoarsely.] It's just as hard for me, Basil.

Basil

[Broken-hearted.] Good-bye, then. I dare say you're right. And perhaps I should only make you very unhappy.

Hilda

Good-bye, my dearest.

[He bends down and kisses her hands. She stifles a sob. He goes slowly to the door, with his back turned to her; and then Hilda, unable to endure it, gives a groan.Hilda

Basil. Don't go.

Basil

[With a cry of joy.] Ah! Hilda.

[He clasps her passionately in his arms.Hilda

Oh, I can't bear it. I won't lose you. Basil, say you love me.

Basil

[In a madness of joy.] Yes. I love you with all my heart.

Hilda

I could have borne it if you'd been happy.

Basil

Now nothing can separate us, Hilda. You belong to me for ever.

Hilda

God help me! What have I done?

Basil

If we lose our souls, what does it matter? We gain the whole world.

Hilda

Oh, Basil, I want your love. I want your love so badly.

Basil

Will you come with me, Hilda? I can take you to a land where the whole earth speaks only of love – and where only love and youth and beauty matter.

Hilda

Let us go where we can be together always. We have so short a time; let us snatch all the happiness we can.

Basil

[Kissing her again.] My darling.

Hilda

Oh, Basil, Basil… [She starts away.] Take care!

[The Butler comes in.]Butler

Mrs. Kent.

[Jenny enters hurriedly, as he gives her name. The Butler at once goes out.Basil

Jenny!

Jenny

I've caught you.

Basil

[Trying to be urbane—to Hilda] I think you know my wife.

Jenny

[In a loud angry voice.] Oh, yes, I know her. You needn't introduce me. I've come for my husband.

Basil

Jenny, what are you saying?

Jenny

Oh, I don't want any of your Society shams. I've come here to speak out.

Basil

[To Hilda.] Would you mind leaving us alone?

Jenny

[Also to Hilda, passionately.] No, I want to speak to you. You're trying to get my husband from me. He's my husband.

Basil

Be quiet, Jenny. Are you mad? Mrs. Murray, for God's sake leave us. She'll insult you.

Jenny

You think of her, you don't think of me. You don't care how much I suffer.

Basil

[Taking her arm.] Come away, Jenny.

Jenny

[Shaking him off.] I won't. You're afraid to let me see her.

Hilda

[Pale and trembling, conscience-stricken.] Let her speak.

Jenny

[Going up to Hilda threateningly.] You're stealing my husband from me. Oh, you… [She is at a loss for words violent enough.

Hilda

I don't want to make you unhappy, Mrs. Kent.

Jenny

You can't get round me with polite words. I'm sick of all that. I want to speak straight.

Basil

[To Hilda.] Please go. You can do no good.

Jenny

[Still more vehemently.] You're stealing my husband from me. You're a wicked woman.

Hilda

[Almost in a whisper.] If you like I'll promise you never to see your husband again.

Jenny

[With angry scorn.] Much good your promises will do me. I wouldn't believe a word you said. I know what Society ladies are. We know all about them in the City.

Basil

[To Hilda.] You must leave us alone.

[He opens the door, and she goes out, looking away from him.Jenny

[Savagely.] She's frightened of me. She daren't stand up to me.

Basil

[As Hilda goes.] I'm so sorry.

Jenny

You're sorry for her.

Basil

[Turning on her.] Yes, I am. What d'you mean by coming here and behaving like this?

Jenny

I've caught you at last… You liar! You dirty liar! You told me you were going to Chancery Lane.

Basil

I have been to Chancery Lane.

Jenny

Oh, I know you have – for five minutes. It was only an excuse. You might just as well have come here straight.

Basil

[Angrily.] How dare you follow me?

Jenny

I've got a right to follow you.

Basil

[Unable to contain himself.] What d'you want here?

Jenny

I want you. D'you think I didn't guess what was going on? I saw you come in with Halliwell. Then I saw him go out with his wife. Then another man went out, and I knew you were alone with her.

Basil

[Sharply.] How did you know?

Jenny

I gave the butler a sovereign, and he told me.

Basil

[Looking for a word to express his contempt.] Oh, you … you cad! It's only what I should have expected you to do.

Jenny

And then I waited for you, and you didn't come. And at last I couldn't wait any longer.

Basil

Well, you've finished it now.

[Jenny catches sight of a photograph of Basil, standing on a table.

Jenny

[Pointing to it.] What's she got your photograph here for?

Basil

I gave it to Mrs. Murray before I was married.

Jenny

She's got no right to keep it there.

[She takes the photograph and flings it violently on the floor.Basil

Jenny, what are you doing?

[Jenny digs her heel into it savagely, viciously.Jenny

[Hissing the words.] Oh, I hate her. I hate her.

Basil

[Striving to contain himself.] You drive me perfectly mad. You'll make me say things that I shall regret all my life. For Heaven's sake, go.

Jenny

I shan't go till you come with me.

Basil

[Beside himself.] I choose to remain.

Jenny

What d'you mean?

Basil

Look here, until to-day I swear to you before God that I've never done anything or said anything that you couldn't have known. Do you believe me?

Jenny

I don't believe that you're not in love with that woman.

Basil

I don't ask you to.

Jenny

What!

Basil

I said, until to-day I've been absolutely faithful to you. Heaven knows, I've tried to do my duty. I've done all I could to make you happy. And I've struggled with all my might to love you.

Jenny

Say it out if you've got anything to say, I'm not afraid to hear.

Basil

I don't wish to deceive you. It's best that you should know what has happened.

Jenny

[Scornfully.] Now for another thumping lie.

Basil

This afternoon I told Hilda I loved her… And she loves me too.

Jenny

[With a cry of rage.] Oh!

[She hits at his face with her umbrella, but he wards the blow, and, snatching the umbrella from her, throws it away.Basil

You've brought it on yourself. You made me too unhappy.

[Jenny, panting and bewildered, stands helpless, trying to control herself.Basil

And now it's the end. The life we led was impossible. I tried to do something that was beyond my power. I'm going away. I can't and I won't live with you any longer.

Jenny

[Frightened at herself and at what he says.] Basil, you don't mean that?

Basil

I've struggled against it for months. And now I'm beaten.

Jenny

You've got me to count with. I won't let you go.

Basil

[Bitterly.] What more d'you want? Isn't it enough that you've ruined my whole life?

Jenny

[Hoarsely.] You don't love me?

Basil

I never loved you.

Jenny

Why did you marry me?

Basil

Because you made me.

Jenny

[In a whisper.] You never loved me – even at the beginning?

Basil

Never.

Jenny

Basil!

Basil

It's too late now to keep it in. I must tell you and have done with it. You've been having it out for months – now it's my turn.

Jenny

[Going up to him and trying to put her arm round his neck.] But I love you, Basil. I'll make you love me.

Basil

[Shrinking from her.] Don't touch me!

Jenny

[With a movement of despair.] I really think you loathe me.

Basil

For Heaven's sake, Jenny, let us finish with it. I'm very sorry. I don't wish to be unkind to you. But you must have seen that – that I didn't care for you. What's the good of going on humbugging, and pretending, and making ourselves utterly wretched?

Jenny

Yes, I've seen it. But I wouldn't believe it. When I've put my hand on your shoulder, I've seen that you could hardly help shuddering. And sometimes when I've kissed you, I've seen you put out all your strength to prevent yourself from pushing me away.

Basil

Jenny, I can't help it if I don't love you. I can't help it if I – if I love some one else.

Jenny

[Dazed and cowed.] What are you going to do?

Basil

I'm going away.

Jenny

Where?

Basil

God knows.

[There is a knock at the door.Basil

Come in.

[The Butler enters with a note, which he givesto Basil.Butler

Mrs. Murray told me to give you this note, Sir.

Basil

[Taking it.] Thank you.

[He opens and reads it as the Servant goes out of the room, then looks up at Jenny, who is anxiously watching him.

[Reading.] "You may tell your wife that I've made up my mind to marry Mr. Brackley. I will never see you again."

Jenny

What does she mean?

Basil

[Bitterly.] Isn't it clear? Some one has asked her to marry him, and she means to accept.

Jenny

But you said she loved you.

[He shrugs his shoulders without answering. Jenny goes up to him imploringly.Jenny

Oh, Basil, if it's true, give me another chance. She doesn't love you as I love you. I've been selfish and quarrelsome and exacting, but I've always loved you. Oh, don't leave me, Basil. Let me try once more if I can't make you care for me.

Basil

[Looking down, hoarsely.] I'm very sorry. It's too late.

Jenny

[Despairingly.] Oh, God, what shall I do? And even though she's going to marry somebody else, you care for her better than any one else in the world?

Basil

[In a whisper.] Yes.

Jenny

And even if she does marry that other man she'll love you still. There's no room for me between you. I can go away like a discharged servant… Oh, God! oh, God! what have I done to deserve it?

Basil

[Touched by her utter misery.] I'm very sorry to make you so unhappy.

Jenny

Oh, don't pity me. D'you think I want your pity now?

Basil

You had better come away, Jenny.

Jenny

No. You've told me you don't want me any more. I shall go my own way.

Basil

[Looks at her for a moment, hesitating; then shrugs his shoulders.] Then good-bye.

[He goes out, and Jenny, looking after him, passes her hand wearily over her forehead.Jenny

[With a sigh.] He's so glad to go… [She gives a little sob.] They've got no room for me.

[She takes up from the floor the photograph on which she stamped, and looks at it; then sinks down, burying her face in her hands, and bursts into a passion of tears.END OF THE THIRD ACT

THE FOURTH ACT

The Next Morning

[The scene is the same as in the Second Act, the drawing-room at Basil's house in Putney. Basil is sitting at the table, with his head in his hands. He looks tired and worn; his face is very white, and there are great black lines under his eyes. His hair is dishevelled. On the table lies a revolver.

[A knock at the door.Basil

[Without looking up.] Come in.

[Fanny enters.]Fanny

[Subdued and pale.] I came to see if you wanted anything, sir.

Basil

[Looking up at her slowly, his voice is dull and hoarse.] No.

Fanny

Shall I open the windows, Sir? It's a beautiful morning.

Basil

No, I'm cold. Make up the fire.

Fanny

Wouldn't you like a cup of tea? You ought to 'ave something after not going to bed all night.

Basil

I don't want anything… Don't worry, there's a good woman.

[Fanny puts coals on the fire, while BASIL listlessly watches her.Basil

How long is it since you sent the telegrams?

Fanny

I took them the moment the office was opened.

Basil

What's the time?

Fanny

Well, sir, it must be 'alf-past nine by now.

Basil

Good Heavens, how slowly the hours go. I thought the night would never end… Oh, God, what shall I do?

Fanny

I'll make you a strong cup of tea. If you don't 'ave something to pull you together – I don't know what'll 'appen to you.

Basil

Yes, make it quickly, I'm thirsty… And I'm so cold.

[A ring at the front door is heard.Basil

[Jumping up.] There's some one at the door, Fanny. Hurry up.

[She goes out, and he follows her to the door of the room.Basil

Fanny, don't let any one up beside Mr. Halliwell. Say I can see no one. [He waits for a moment, anxiously.] Is that you, John?

John

[Outside.] Yes.

Basil

[To himself.] Thank God!

[John comes in.Basil

I thought you were never coming. I begged you to come at once.

John

I started immediately I got your wire.

Basil

It seems hours since the girl went to the post-office.

John

What's the matter?

Basil

[Hoarsely.] Don't you know? I thought I had said it in my telegram.

John

You simply wired that you were in great trouble.

Basil

I suppose I thought you'd see it in the papers.

John

What on earth d'you mean? I've not seen a paper. Where's your wife?

Basil

[After a pause, almost in a whisper.] She's dead.

John

[Thunderstruck.] Good God!

Basil

[Impatiently.] Don't look at me like that. Isn't it plain enough? Don't you understand?

John

But she was all right yesterday.

Basil

[Dully.] Yes. She was all right yesterday.

John

For goodness sake tell me what you mean, Basil.

Basil

She's dead… And she was all right yesterday.

[John does not understand. He is greatly distressed, and does not know what to say.Basil

I killed her – as surely as if I'd strangled her with my own hands.

John

What d'you mean? She's not really dead!

Basil

[In agony.] She threw herself into the river last night.

John

How awful!

Basil

Haven't you got something more to say than how awful? I feel as if I were going mad.

John

But I can't understand! Why did she do it?

Basil

Oh – yesterday we had an awful row … before you came.

John

I know.

Basil

Then she followed me to … to your sister-in-law's. And she came up and made another scene. Then I lost my head. I was so furious, I don't know what I said. I was mad. I told her I'd have nothing more to do with her… Oh, I can't bear it, I can't bear it.

[He breaks down and hides his face in his hands, sobbing.John

Come, Basil – pull yourself together a bit.

Basil

[Looking up despairingly.] I can hear her voice now. I can see the look of her eyes. She asked me to give her another chance, and I refused. It was so pitiful to hear the way she appealed to me, only I was mad, and I couldn't feel it.

[Fanny comes in with the cup of tea, which Basil silently takes and drinks.Fanny

[To John.] He ain't slept a wink all night, sir… No more 'ave I, for the matter of that.

[John nods, but does not answer; and Fanny,

wiping her eyes with her apron, leaves theroom.

Basil

Oh, I'd give everything not to have said what I did. I'd always held myself in before, but yesterday – I couldn't.

John

Well?

Basil

I didn't get back here till nearly ten, and the maid told me Jenny had just gone out. I thought she'd gone back to her mother's.

John

Yes?

Basil

And soon after a constable came up and asked me to go down to the river. He said there'd been an accident… She was dead. A man had seen her walk along the tow-path and throw herself in.

John

Where is she now?

Basil

[Pointing to one of the doors.] In there.

John

Will you take me in?

Basil

Go in alone, John. I daren't, I'm afraid to look at her. I can't bear the look on her face… I killed her – as surely as if I'd strangled her with my own hands. I've been looking at the door all night, and once I thought I heard a sound. I thought she was coming to reproach me for killing her.

[John goes to the door, and as he opens it, Basil averts his head. When John shuts the door after him, he looks at it with staring, frightened eyes, half mad with agony. He tries to contain himself. After a while John comes back, very quietly.Basil

[Whispering.] What does she look like?

John

There's nothing to be afraid of, Basil. She might be sleeping.

Basil

[Clenching his hands.] But the ghastly pallor…

John

[Gravely.] She's happier than she would ever have been if she'd lived.

[Basil sighs deeply.John

[Seeing the revolver.] What's this for?

Basil

[With a groan of self-contempt.] I tried to kill myself in the night.

John

H'm!

[He takes the cartridges out and puts the revolveri his pocket.Basil

[Bitterly.] Oh, don't be afraid, I haven't got the pluck… I was afraid to go on living. I thought if I killed myself it would be a reparation for her death. I went down to the river, and I walked along the tow-path to the same spot – but I couldn't do it. The water looked so black and cold and pitiless. And yet she did it so easily. She just walked along and threw herself in. [A pause.] Then I came back, and I thought I'd shoot myself.

John

D'you think that would have done any one much good?

Basil

I despised myself. I felt I hadn't the right to live, and I thought it would be easier just to pull a trigger… People say it's cowardly to destroy oneself, they don't know what courage it wants. I couldn't face the pain – and then, I don't know what's on the other side. After all, it may be true that there's a cruel, avenging God, who will punish us to all eternity if we break His unknown laws.

John

I'm very glad you sent for me. You had better come back to London, and stay with me for the present.

Basil

And d'you know what happened in the night? I couldn't go to bed. I felt I could never sleep again – and then, presently, I dozed off quite quietly in my chair. And I slept as comfortably – as if Jenny weren't lying in there, cold and dead. And the maid pities me because she thinks I passed as sleepless a night as she did.

[A sound of voices is heard outside, in altercation. Fanny comes in.Fanny

Please, sir, Mr. James.

Basil

[Angrily.] I won't see him.

Fanny

He won't go away, I told 'im you was too ill to see anybody.

Basil

I won't see him. I knew he'd be round, curse him!

John

After all, I suppose he has a certain right to come here – under the circumstances. Hadn't you better see what he wants?

Basil

Oh, he'll make a scene. I shall knock him down. I've suffered too much through him already.

John

Let me see him. You don't want him to make a fuss at the inquest.

Basil

I've been thinking of that. I know the stories he and his people will make up. And the papers will get hold of it, and every one will blackguard me. They'll say it was my fault.

John

D'you mind if I have a talk to him? I think I can save you from all that.

Basil

[Shrugging his shoulders, impatiently.] Do whatever you like.

John

[To Fanny.] Show him up, Fanny.

Fanny

Yes, sir.

[She goes out.Basil

Then I shall go.

[John nods, and Basil goes out by the door next to that of the room in which Jenny is lying. James Bush appears.John

[Grave and cold.] Good morning, Mr. Bush.