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

Alec

[Good-humouredly.] You shouldn't keep such late hours, Bobbie. At your age one wants one's beauty sleep.

Boulger

It's very kind of you to take an interest in me. My headache has passed off.

Alec

I'm very glad. What do you use – Phenacetin?

Boulger

It went away of its own accord – after dinner.

Alec

[Smiling.] So you resolved to give the girls a treat by coming to Lady Kelsey's dance? How nice of you not to disappoint them! [He turns to Lucy and holds out his hand. They look into one another's eyes. She takes his hand.] I sent you a paper this evening.

Lucy

It was very good of you.

[Carbery comes forward and offers his arm.

Carbery

I think this is my dance, Miss Allerton. May I take you in?

Alec

Carbery? I saw you in Piccadilly just now! You were darting about just like a young gazelle. I had no idea you could be so active.

Carbery

I didn't see you.

Alec

I observed that you were deeply interested in the shop windows as I passed. How are you?

[He holds out his hand, and for a moment Carbery hesitates to take it. But Alec's steady gaze compels him.

Carbery

How d'you do?

Alec

[With an amused smile.] So glad to see you again, old man.

[Dick gives an audible chuckle, and Carbery, reddening, draws his hand away angrily. He goes to Lucy and offers his arm.

Boulger

[To Mrs. Crowley.] Shall I take you back?

Mrs. Crowley

Do!

Lady Kesley

Won't you come, Mr. Mackenzie?

Alec

If you don't mind I'll stay and smoke just one cigarette with Dick Lomas. You know I'm not a dancing man.

Lady Kelsey

Very well.

[All go out except Alec and Dick.

Dick

I suppose you know we were all beseeching Providence you'd have the grace to stay away to-night?

Alec

[With a smile.] I suspected it, I confess. I shouldn't have come only I wanted to see Lucy. I've been in the country all day, and I knew nothing about Macinnery's letter till I saw the placards at the station.

Dick

Macinnery proposes to make things rather uncomfortable, I imagine.

Alec

[With a smile.] I made a mistake, didn't I? I ought to have dropped him in the river when I had no further use for him.

Dick

What are you going to do?

Alec

It's not easy to clear myself at a dead man's expense. The earth covers his crime and his sins and his weakness.

Dick

D'you mean to say that you are going to sit still and let them throw mud at you?

Alec

When George was dead I wrote to Lucy that he died like a brave man. I can't now publish to the whole world that he was a coward and a rogue. I can't rake up again the story of her father's crime.

Dick

[Impatiently.] Surely, that's absolutely quixotic.

Alec

No, it isn't. I tell you I can't do anything else. I'm bound hand and foot. Lucy has talked to me of George's death, and the only thing that has consoled her is the idea that in a manner he had redeemed his father's good name. How can I rob her of that? She placed all her hopes in George. How could she face the world with the knowledge that her brother was rotten to the core, as rotten as her father.

Dick

It seems awfully hard.

Alec

Besides, when all is said and done, the boy did die game. Don't you think that should count for something? No, I tell you I can't give him away now. I should never cease to reproach myself. I love Lucy far too much to cause her such bitter pain.

Dick

And if it loses you her love?

Alec

I think she can do without love better than without self-respect.

[Lucy comes in with Mrs. Crowley.

Lucy

I've sent my partner away. I felt I must have a few words alone with you.

Dick

Shall I take Mrs. Crowley into a retired corner?

Lucy

No, we have nothing to say that you can't hear. You and Nellie know that we're engaged to be married. [To Alec.] I want you to dance with me.

Alec

It's very good of you.

Mrs. Crowley

Don't you think that's rather foolish, Lucy?

Lucy

[To Alec.] I want to show them all that I don't believe that you're guilty of an odious crime.

Alec

They've said horrible things about me?

Lucy

Not to me. They wanted to hide it from me, but I knew they were talking.

Alec

You'll grow used to hearing shameful things said of me. I suppose I shall grow used to it, too.

Lucy

Oh, I hate them.

Alec

Ah, it's not that I mind. What torments me is that it was so easy to despise their praise, and now I can't despise their blame.

Mrs. Crowley

[Smiling.] I believe you have some glimmerings of human nature in you after all.

Lucy

When you came to-night, so calm and self-possessed, I admired you as I'd never admired you before.

Alec

It's easy enough to command one's face. I learnt to do that in Africa when often my life depended on my seeming to have no fear. But in my heart … I never knew that I could feel so bitter. And yet, after all, it's only your good opinion that I care for.

Lucy

I've trusted you implicitly from the first day I saw you.

Alec

Thank God for that! To-day is the first time I've wanted to be assured that I was trusted. And yet I'm ashamed to want it.

Lucy

Ah, don't be too hard upon yourself. You're so afraid of letting your tenderness appear.

Alec

The only way to be strong is never to surrender to one's weakness. Strength is merely a habit like everything else. I want you to be strong, too. I want you never to doubt me whatever you may hear said.

Lucy

I gave my brother into your hands, and told you that if he died a brave man's death I could ask for no more.

Alec

I should tell you that I've made up my mind to make no answer to the charges that are made against me.

[There is a very short pause, while he looks at her steadily.

Mrs. Crowley

But why?

Alec

[To Lucy.] I can give you my word of honour that I've done nothing which I regret. I know that what I did was right with regard to George, and if it were all to come again I would do exactly as I did before.

Lucy

I think I can trust you.

Alec

I thought of you always, and everything I did was for your sake. Every single act of mine during these four years in Africa has been done because I loved you.

Lucy

You must love me always, Alec, for now I have only you. [He bends down and kisses her hand.] Come!

[He gives her his arm and they walk out.

Mrs. Crowley

I feel as if I should rather like to cry.

Dick

Do you really? So do I.

Mrs. Crowley

Don't be so silly.

Dick

By the way, you don't want to dance with me, do you?

Mrs. Crowley

Certainly not. You dance abominably.

Dick

It's charming of you to say so. It puts me at my ease at once.

Mrs. Crowley

Come and sit on the sofa and talk seriously.

Dick

Ah, you want to flirt with me, Mrs. Crowley.

Mrs. Crowley

Good heavens, what on earth makes you think that?

Dick

It's what a woman always means when she asks you to talk sensibly.

Mrs. Crowley

I can't bear a man who thinks women are in love with him.

Dick

Bless you, I don't think that. I only think they want to marry me.

Mrs. Crowley

That's equally detestable.

Dick

Not at all. However old, ugly, and generally undesirable a man is, he'll find a heap of charming girls who are willing to marry him. Marriage is still the only decent means of livelihood for a really nice girl.

Mrs. Crowley

But, my dear friend, if a woman really makes up her mind to marry a man, nothing on earth can save him.

Dick

Don't say that, you terrify me.

Mrs. Crowley

You need not be in the least alarmed, because I shall refuse you.

Dick

Thanks, awfully. But all the same I don't think I'll risk a proposal.

Mrs. Crowley

My dear Mr. Lomas, your only safety is in immediate flight.

Dick

Why?

Mrs. Crowley

It must be obvious to the meanest intelligence that you've been on the verge of proposing to me for the last month.

Dick

Oh, I assure you, you're quite mistaken.

Mrs. Crowley

Then I shan't come to the play with you to-morrow?

Dick

But I've taken the seats, and I've ordered an exquisite dinner at the Carlton.

Mrs. Crowley

What have you ordered?

Dick

Potage Bisque… [She makes a little face.]

Sole Normande… [She shrugs her shoulders.]

Wild Duck.

Mrs. Crowley

With an orange salad?

Dick

Yes.

Mrs. Crowley

I don't positively dislike that.

Dick

And I've ordered a soufflé with an ice in the middle of it.

Mrs. Crowley

I shan't come.

Dick

I shouldn't have thought you kept very well abreast of dramatic art if you insist on marrying every man who takes you to a theatre.

Mrs. Crowley

[Demurely.] I was very nicely brought up.

Dick

Of course, if you're going to make yourself systematically disagreeable unless I marry you, I suppose I shall have to do it in self-defence.

Mrs. Crowley

I don't know if you have the least idea what you're talking about. I'm sure I haven't!

Dick

I was merely asking you in a rather well-turned phrase to name the day. The lamb shall be ready for the slaughter!

Mrs. Crowley

Couldn't you infuse a little romance into it? You might begin by going down on your bended knees.

Dick

I assure you that's quite out of fashion. Lovers, nowadays, are much too middle-aged, and their joints are creaky. Besides, it ruins the trousers.

Mrs. Crowley

At all events, there can be no excuse for your not saying that you know you're utterly unworthy of me.

Dick

Wild horses wouldn't induce me to make a statement which is so remote from the truth.

Mrs. Crowley

And, of course, you must threaten to commit suicide if I don't consent.

Dick

Women are such sticklers for routine. They have no originality.

Mrs. Crowley

Very well, have it your own way. But I must have a proposal in due form.

Dick

Only four words are needed. [Counting them on his fingers.] Will you marry me?

Mrs. Crowley

That is both clear and simple. I reply in one: No!

Dick

[As though he were not sure that he had heard correctly.] I beg your pardon?

Mrs. Crowley

The answer is in the negative.

Dick

You're joking. You're certainly joking.

Mrs. Crowley

I will be a sister to you.

Dick

Do you mean to say you deliberately refuse me?

Mrs. Crowley

[Smiling.] I promised you I would.

Dick

[With much seriousness.] I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mrs. Crowley

[Puzzled.] The man's mad. The man's nothing short of a raving lunatic.

Dick

I wanted to see if you were really attached to me. You have given me a proof of esteem which I promise you I will never forget.

Mrs. Crowley

[Laughing.] You're a perfect idiot, Mr. Lomas!

Dick

It's one of my cherished convictions that a really nice woman is never so cruel as to marry a man she cares for.

Mrs. Crowley

You're much too flippant to marry anybody, and you're perfectly odious into the bargain.

[She goes out. Dick, chuckling, lights a cigarette. Alec comes in and lies down lazily on the sofa.

Alec

Why, Dick, what's the matter? You look as pleased as Punch.

Dick

My dear fellow, I feel like the Terrible Turk. I've been wrestling, and I thought I was going to have a fall. But by the display of considerable agility I've managed to keep my legs.

Alec

What do you mean?

Dick

Nothing. It's merely the gaiety of forty-two.

[Boulger comes into the room, followed immediately by Mallins and Carbery. He starts slightly when he sees Alec, but then goes over to the table on which is the whiskey.

Mallins

May we smoke here, Bobby?

Boulger

Certainly. Dick insisted that this room should be particularly reserved for that purpose.

[The Butler comes in with a small silver salver, and takes up one or two dirty glasses.

Dick

Lady Kelsey is the most admirable of all hostesses.

Alec

[Taking a cigarette from his case.] Give me a match, Bobby, there's a good boy. [Boulger, with his back turned to Alec, takes no notice. He pours himself out some whiskey. Alec smiles slightly.] Bobby, throw me over the matches!

Boulger

[With his back still turned.] Miller!

Butler

Yes, sir?

Boulger

Mr. Mackenzie is asking for something.

Butler

Yes, sir!

Alec

You might give me a light, will you?

Butler

Yes, sir!

[The Butler takes the matches to Alec, who lights his cigarette.

Alec

Thank you. [Complete silence is preserved till the Butler leaves the room.] I perceive, Bobbie, that during my absence you have not added good manners to your other accomplishments.

Boulger

If you want things, you can ask the servants for them.

Alec

[Good-humouredly.] Don't be foolish, Bobbie!

Boulger

Would you be so kind as to remember that my name is Boulger?

Alec

[Smiling.] Perhaps you would like me to call you Sir Robert?

Boulger

I should prefer that you would call me nothing at all. I have absolutely no wish to know you.

Alec

Which shows that your taste is as bad as your breeding.

Boulger

[Angrily, walking up to him.] By God, I'll knock you down!

Alec

You could hardly do that when I'm already lying on my back.

Boulger

Look here, Mackenzie, I'm not going to let you play the fool with me. I want to know what answer you have to make to all these charges that have been brought against you.

Alec

Might I suggest that only Miss Allerton has the least right to receive answers to her questions? And she hasn't questioned me.

Boulger

I've given up trying to understand her attitude. If I were she, it would make me sick with horror to look at you. Since this morning you've rested under a direct accusation of causing George's death, and you've said nothing in self-defence.

Alec

Nothing.

Boulger

You've been given an opportunity to explain yourself, and you haven't taken it.

Alec

Quite true.

Boulger

Are you not going to deny the charge?

Alec

I'm not.

Boulger

Then I can only draw one conclusion. There appears to be no means of bringing you to justice, but at least I can refuse to know you.

Alec

All is over between us. And shall I return your letters and your photograph?

Boulger

I'm not joking.

Alec

It's singular that though I'm Scotch and you are English I should be able to see how ridiculous you are, while you're quite blind to your own absurdity.

Dick

Come, Alec! Remember he's only a boy.

Boulger

[To Dick Lomas.] I'm perfectly able to look after myself, and I'll thank you not to interfere. [To Alec.] If Lucy's so indifferent to her brother's death that she's willing to keep up with you, that's her own affair …

Dick

[Interrupting.] Come, Bobbie, don't make a scene.

Boulger

[Furiously.] Leave me alone, confound you!

Alec

Do you think this is quite the place for an altercation? Wouldn't you gain more notoriety if you attacked me in my club or at Church parade on Sunday?

Boulger

It's mere shameless impudence that you should come here to-night. You're using these wretched women as a shield, because you know that as long as Lucy sticks to you there are people who won't believe the story.

Alec

I came for the same reason as yourself, dear boy. Because I was invited.

Dick

Now then, Bobbie, shut up!

Boulger

I shan't shut up. The man's got no right to force himself here.

Dick

Remember that you're Lady Kelsey's nephew.

Boulger

I didn't ask him. D'you think I'd have come if I knew he was going to be here? He's acknowledged that he has no defence.

Alec

Pardon me, I acknowledge nothing and deny nothing.

Boulger

That won't do for me. I want the truth, and I'm going to get it. I've got a right to know.

Alec

[Beginning to lose his temper.] Don't make an ass of yourself, Bobby.

Boulger

By God, I'll make you answer!

[As he says this he goes up to Alec furiously, but Alec. with a twist of his arm, hurls him back.

Alec

I could break your back, you silly boy.

[With a cry of anger Boulger is about to spring at Alec when Dick gets in the way.

Dick

Now then, no scenes. And you'll only get the worst of it, Bobby. Alec could just crumple you up. Take him away, Mallins. Don't stand there like a stuffed owl, Carbery.

Boulger

Let me alone, you fool!

Mallins

Come along, old chap.

Boulger

[To Alec.] You damned skunk!

Dick

Now then, be off with you. Don't make a silly ass of yourself.

[Boulger, Mallins and Carbery go out.

Dick

Poor Lady Kelsey! To-morrow half London will be saying that you and Bobby had a stand-up fight in her drawing-room.

Alec

[Furiously.] The damned cubs!

Dick

The position is growing confoundedly awkward!

Alec

They lick my boots till I loathe them, and then they turn against me like a pack of curs. Oh, I despise them – these silly boys who stay at home wallowing in their ease while men work. Thank God, I've done with them all now. They think one can fight one's way through Africa as easily as one walks down Piccadilly. They think one goes through hardships and dangers, illness and starvation, to be the lion of a dinner-party in Mayfair.

Dick

My dear Alec, keep calm.

Alec

[With a visible effort containing himself completely, with studied nonchalance.] D'you think that I look wildly excited?

Dick

[Ironically.] I don't think butter would melt in your mouth.

[Dick and Alec go out into the garden. In a moment Boulger comes in with Lady Kelsey.

Boulger

Thank heaven, there's nobody here.

Lady Kelsey

I think you're dreadfully foolish, Bobby. You know how Lucy resents any interference with her actions.

Boulger

Won't you sit down? You must be dreadfully tired.

Lady Kelsey

Why won't you wait till to-morrow?

Boulger

I feel that it ought to be settled at once.

[Lucy appears.

Lucy

Did you send for me, my aunt? Mr. Carbery said you wanted to speak to me here.

Lady Kelsey

Yes, I gave him that message.

Boulger

I asked Aunt Alice to beg you to come here. I was afraid you wouldn't if I asked you.

Lucy

[Lightly.] What nonsense! I'm always delighted to see you.

Boulger

I wanted to speak to you about something, and I thought Aunt Alice should be present.

Lucy

Is it so important that it can't wait till to-morrow?

Boulger

I venture to think it's very important.

Lucy

[Smiling.] I'm all attention.

[He hesitates for a moment, then braces himself to the ordeal.

Boulger

I've told you often, Lucy, that I've been in love with you for as many years as I can remember.

Lucy

Surely you've not snatched me from the unwilling arm of my partner in order to make me a proposal of marriage?

Boulger

I'm perfectly serious, Lucy.

Lucy

[Smiling.] I assure you it doesn't suit you at all.

Boulger

The other day I asked you again to marry me, just before Alec Mackenzie came back.

Lucy

It was very charming of you. You mustn't think that because I laugh at you a little I'm not grateful for your affection.

Boulger

Except for that letter in this morning's Times, I should never have dared to say anything to you again. But that changes everything.

Lucy

I don't understand what you mean.

Boulger

[After a little pause.] I ask you again if you'll be my wife? When Alec Mackenzie came back I understood why you were so indifferent to me, but you can't marry him now.

Lucy

You have no right to talk to me like this.

Boulger

I'm the only man who's related to you at all, and I love you with my whole soul.

Lady Kelsey

I think you should listen to him, Lucy. I'm growing old, and soon you'll be quite alone in the world.

Boulger

I don't ask you to care for me. I only want to serve you.

Lucy

I can only repeat that I'm very grateful to you. I can never marry you.

Boulger

[Beginning to lose his temper again.] Are you going to continue to know Mackenzie? If you'll take the advice of any unprejudiced person about that letter, you'll find that he'll say the same as I. There can be no shadow of doubt that Mackenzie is guilty of a monstrous crime.

Lucy

I don't care what the evidence is. I know he can't have done a shameful thing.

Boulger

But have you forgotten that it's your own brother he killed? The whole country is up in arms against him, and you are quite indifferent.

Lucy

[Much moved.] Oh, Bobbie, how can you be so cruel?

Boulger

If you ever really cared for George at all, you must wish to punish the man who caused his death.

Lucy

Oh, why d'you torment me? I tell you that he isn't guilty. It's because I'm convinced of that …

Boulger

[Interrupting.] But have you asked him?

Lucy

No.

Boulger

He might give you the truth.

Lucy

I couldn't do that.

Boulger

Why not?

Lady Kelsey

It's very strange that he should insist on this silence.

Lucy

Do you believe that story too?

Lady Kelsey

I don't know what to believe. It's so extraordinary. If the man's innocent, why doesn't he speak?

Lucy

He knows I trust him. I couldn't cause him the great pain of asking him questions.

Boulger

Are you afraid he couldn't answer them?

Lucy

No, no, no!

Boulger

Well, just try. After all, you owe as much as that to the memory of George.

Lady Kelsey

I think it's very unreasonable, Lucy. He knows we're his friends. He can count on our discretion.

Lucy

I believe in him implicitly. I believe in him with all the strength I've got.

Boulger

Then, surely it can make no difference if you ask him. There can be no reason for him not to trust you.

Lucy

Oh, why don't you leave me alone?

Boulger

Ask him point blank. If he refuses to answer you …

Lucy

[Hastily.] It would mean nothing. Why should he answer? I believe in him absolutely. I think he's the greatest and most honourable man I've ever known. I care more for his little finger than for the whole world. I love him with all my heart. And that's why he can't be guilty of this horrible crime. Because I've loved him for years, and he's known it. And he loves me. And he's loved me always.

[Alec and Dick stroll in from the garden.

Lucy

Alec, Alec, I want you! Thank God, you've come!

Alec

[Going to her quickly.] What is it?

Lucy

Alec, you must tell them now about you and me.

[Alec looks at Lucy for a moment, and then turns to Lady Kelsey.

Alec

I think perhaps we ought to have told you before, Lady Kelsey. But we wanted to enjoy our little secret by ourselves.

Lady Kelsey

I'm afraid to understand.

Alec

I have asked Lucy to be my wife, and she…

Lucy

[Interrupting him.] She said she would be honoured and deeply grateful.

Lady Kelsey

[Greatly embarrassed.] I hardly know what to say… How long have you been engaged?

Lucy

Won't you tell me you're pleased, my aunt? I know you want me to be happy.

Lady Kelsey

Of course, I want you to be happy. But I – I…

[Boulger turns on his heel and walks out.Dick

[Offering his arm to Lady Kelsey.] Wouldn't you like to go back to the drawing-room?

[She allows herself to be led away, helplessly. Alec and Lucy are left alone.Alec

[With a smile.] I don't think our announcement has been received with enthusiasm.

Lucy

You're not angry with me, Alec?

Alec

Of course not. Everything you do is right and charming.

Lucy

I shall really think I'm a wonderful person if I've taught you to pay compliments.

Alec

I'm so glad to be alone with you. Now, at all events, people will have the sense to leave us by ourselves.

Lucy

[Passionately.] I want your love. I want your love so badly.

Alec

[Taking her in his arms.] My darling!

Lucy

[Clinging to him.] The moment I'm with you I feel so confident and happy.

Alec

Only when you're with me? [Lucy looks at him for an instant. He repeats the question in a caressing voice.] Only when you're with me, darling?

Lucy

Why d'you think I made you tell them we were engaged?

Alec

You took me by surprise.

Lucy

I had to tell them. I couldn't keep it back. They made me suffer so dreadfully.